By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The ongoing federal government shutdown has created a lot of uncertainty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), though two judges ruled on Friday that contingency funds must be used to preserve the program that serves 1 in 8 Americans. Regardless of that situation, USD 428 Public Information Director Andrea Bauer said the Great Bend school district wants to work with families.
“In Great Bend public schools, our priority is making sure students have a hot and nutritious meal,” she said. “You can’t learn if you’re not fueled up and ready to go. So, for our families, if things have changed within their household – a job has changed or income has changed – the free/reduced meal application can be completed at any time online.”
With some government jobs furloughed or pay reduced since the Oct. 1 shutdown, financial situations may be rapidly changing for families. Anyone needing to update their financial status can fill out an application for free or reduced school lunches by visiting greatbendschoolmeals.com.
“If you have questions, reach out to us here at the District Education Center, (620) 793-1500,” Bauer said. “We just want to see kids fueled up and ready to learn, no matter what.”
Twenty-five states, including Kansas, have sued the Trump administration over the possible loss of SNAP benefits. Any delays in benefits would be the first in the program’s history, and nearly 42 million Americans would be affected by the delays.