Food Bank encourages families to sign up now for free and reduced school meals

The Food Bank of North Central Arkansas (FBNCA) is encouraging families to complete free and reduced price school meal applications for the coming school year. Applying now for these programs not only helps individuals but also the community at large access nutrition resources.

Families who are enrolled in SNAP benefits, have children participating in Head Start, or if the family income falls at or below a threshold set by the government. For example a family of four earning less than $57,720 per year would qualify.

Jeff Quick, CEO of FBNCA, and KTLO’s Heather Loftis recently discussed how the stigma of the past has been softened for students with recent advancements.

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Meal applications also help eligible children automatically qualify for the Summer EBT program, which provides $120 per child during the summer to purchase groceries when school is not in session. Quick says filling out those applications now will ease the transition into summer for families.

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Mountain Home Public Schools offers an online application process by visiting EZmealapp.com. Parents and guardians can select Arkansas as their state, choose their school, and following the online prompts to complete the process in a few minutes. The application also shares more details on income requirements and other factors that may open a family to the programs.

For questions about completing applications for free and reduced price school meals contact the Food Bank at 870-499-7565 or Mountain Home Public Schools at 870-425-1201.

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