School

Free Breakfast, Lunches Available At City Schools

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Officials with the Pittsburgh Public School District say because of the economy, they want to give parents some financial assistance this school year.

Some students going back to class this year could be able to take advantage of a new program for free meals.

In a move to guarantee students have active minds, the district wants to make sure they have full stomachs as well.

School Superintendent Mark Roosevelt hopes to improve performance by offering a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch.

"It hugely important for kids to have breakfast," said Roosevelt. "There's lots of evidence and research shows kids who get a good breakfast will be more able to absorb academic content all morning long."

Free meals will be available to more than 28,000 students at 41 schools and early childhood centers.

Parent Stacy McCree thinks it is a good idea.

"You don't have to get up and rush to fix breakfast," said McCree. "You can drop them off and they can have something to eat and they can function through today," she said.

Pittsburgh Public Schools have provided meals to low income students in the past.

Last year, 68 percent of the students qualified for free lunches.

Officials say the percentage may be even higher in today's tough economic times.

Roosevelt says local tax dollars won't be involved in the free food program.

"There are state and federal dollars, if we do it right, we will be able to pay for almost all of it," said Roosevelt.

With the right amount of attention and participation the free lunch program should break even.

Roosevelt says the district should take advantage of available state and federal money that can be of great benefit to students.

Classes begin today at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary school and seven other accelerated learning centers across the city.

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