Subject:
Support Universal School Meals!
Message:
Dear Legislator:
As a constituent who cares deeply about public education and the wellbeing of our students, I want to thank you for your support of the Universal School Meals program in your one-house budget bill.
The Universal School Meals program removes barriers that keep food insecure students from accessing the nutrition they need, while also saving families an estimated $150 per child each month in food costs. Universal school meals are shown to improve school climate, increase test scores and support students' mental and physical health. All of this can be achieved for less than one-tenth of one percent of the state budget. Many students who go hungry are in families that struggle to meet their basic needs, but do not qualify for free school meals. In New York, a family of four earning just $56,000 annually, which is nowhere near a living wage in our state, does not qualify for free school meals.
Resources such as textbooks, school buses and computers are provided without regard to student income, and students' access to a healthy breakfast and lunch should not be any different.
As budget negotiations continue, I urge you and your colleagues to remain steadfast in your support of this critical program and continue to advocate for the additional funding of the Universal School Meals program that you have included in your one-house budget proposal.
Thank you once again for your continued support of public education in New York state and your work to eliminate student hunger. I respectfully ask that you bring up this issue with your conference and I would greatly appreciate a response to this email.
Sincerely,
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