The Iowa City Community School District is looking for new sources to fund the free lunch program that was offered using COVID-19 relief monies.
The Daily Iowan reports the District was able to provide free lunches for all students for about two and a half years because of the federal funding.
But with that money no longer available and faced with losing money because of negative student accounts, the district was forced to return to its pre-COVID school lunch policy this school year.
Free and Reduced meals are provided to families within a certain income bracket. The district is reimbursed for every meal it provides, but not all families that qualify for the program actually apply.
A 2018 state bill prohibits school districts from public shaming of students with negative balances. Iowa City schools Nutrition Services Director Alison Demory says she is working with families to rectify negative accounts while providing meals to students.
The DI also reports that families that don’t qualify for Free and Reduced meals but are struggling can get help through a new “One Tray at a Time” program, which allows anyone in the community to donate money toward paying off negative accounts.