Harrisburg – Five schools in and around the 15th Senatorial District received state grants to bolster school breakfast programs, Senator John DiSanto (R-15) said today.
Schools can use grants up to $5,000 to implement a breakfast program using an “alternative serving method,” like grab-and-go, or breakfast in the classroom. Schools can also expand an existing program to include an alternative serving method. Breakfast must be made available to all students in a school.
Schools receiving grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education include:
Central Dauphin School District
Chambers Hill Elementary $4,174.50
Swatara Middle School $5,000
Mountain View Elementary $4,174.50
Paxtang Elementary $4,174.50
Halifax Area School District
Halifax Area High School $3,170
A total of 151 schools received grants totaling $592,000. More than 3,000 Pennsylvania schools report that they offer breakfast.
“Often because of challenging family situations, too many children come to school without having eaten breakfast,” DiSanto said. “These grants, along with lunch programs, help our schools ensure students can get the nutrition they need to effectively tackle the school day.”
“Students are more focused and in a better position to learn when they start their days with a healthy, nutritious meal,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “However, we know that only about 52 percent of the students who receive a free or reduced lunch also receive breakfast. The mini-grants enable schools to address food security issues and help more students by either starting a new breakfast program or by improving an existing one.”
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801