Surviving on School Lunches

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Story Published: Dec 15, 2008 at 6:40 PM PDT

By Audrey Asistio

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WAPATO -- Wapato School District's Free and Reduced Lunch program applications have gone up 10% this year. More than 90% of Wapato's students are now on the program.

The school district's Executive Director for Support of Operations, Charles Wheaton, tells Action News, "More families are suffering from the financial crisis."

Wapato teachers says free lunch applications are not the only things expanding. The children's appetites are also.

Third grade teacher, Vivian Rocha explains, "We have big crowds for breakfast in the morning."

More students are going to school earlier, to take advantage of the free breakfast. Families are having a harder time putting food on the table.

Action News Reporter Audrey Asistio explains, "Lunch for today is a corn dog, an apple, some crackers and milk. School faculty says for many of these children, this may be the only nutritious meal they are having today."

Plenty of the students survive on these meals alone. That's why the school district claims it's crucial they're able to provide and help out.

Wheaton adds,"It's real tough to try and talk about cutting service, but we got to feed the kids, otherwise, they can't learn."

Washington State government foots the bill for most of the "Free and Reduced Cost Lunch Program". And every year the Wapato School District spend another $100,000 to cover the rest of the costs.

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