UISD, LISD and Webb Consolidated receive more than $50 million for meals

LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – According to the nonprofit organization No child goes hungryIn the United States, 13 million children live in food-insecure households. However, in Webb County, more than $50 million in federal funds are being allocated to local school districts to ensure that no student goes without a meal.

For many students, lunchtime is their favorite part of the day. Even five-year-old Andres, a kindergartener at Cuellar Elementary School, understands the importance of a well-balanced meal. When asked why it’s so important to eat at school, he simply said, “So you can’t say you’re hungry anymore.”

These meals, served on Styrofoam plates, are funded with federal funds. United ISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz shared that all Webb County districts will collectively receive more than $50.7 million to support school meal programs, which include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Of the total funding, the district will receive $33 million, which Dr. Cruz believes will significantly improve the district’s meal program. Last year, the district served over 9 million meals to students, demonstrating the success of the program. “These meals are nutritious and delicious. If students do not receive proper nutrition, they will not be able to learn effectively,” Dr. Cruz emphasized.

Some of the federal funding will also go toward paying food service workers’ salaries and purchasing necessary equipment, such as refrigerators. In addition to United ISD, students in Laredo ISD, Harmony and Webb Consolidated ISD will also benefit from this funding. Dr. H.H. Garza Jr., superintendent of Webb Consolidated ISD, noted that nearly $300,000 will be allocated to his district, which equates to approximately 140,000 meals served last year.

In a time of rising inflation and increasing food costs, Dr. Cruz highlights the crucial role these meals play for families. “We understand the tough economic times we are going through. For many of our students, this may be their only meal of the day.”

LISD will receive more than $16 million and Harmony will receive nearly $1 million.

For more headlines, click here.

Copyright 2024 KGNS. All rights reserved.