County supervisors propose first of its kind in California pilot program to feed students
SAN JOSE - Santa Clara County Supervisors Susan Ellenberg and Joe Simitian are proposing a new pilot program at the Feb. 11 Board of Supervisors meeting. The pilot, the first of its kind in California, aims at addressing food insecurity faced by children in our schools throughout Santa Clara County.
According to research, child hunger is a major barrier to not only academic but overall success. Research shows that receiving free or reduced priced school lunches reduces food insecurity, obesity rates and poor health outcomes. Additionally, kids that participate in school breakfast programs have higher standardized test scores, fewer behavioral issues and higher attendance.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley estimates that right here in Santa Clara County 1 in 3 children are food insecure. And due to Silicon Valley’s high cost of living, many families fall above the threshold for food assistance programs and school meal programs.
Through a collaborative effort, led by Supervisors Ellenberg and Simitian, this proposed pilot program can aid eligible school districts with the transition to Community Eligibility Provision to ensure that 12,000 of our children enrolled in eligible schools annually receive free meals at school.
DETAILS
· What: Unveil of proposed Universal Meals for High-Needs Schools pilot program
· When: Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, 10:30-11AM
· Where: Santa Clara County Civic Building, 70 W Hedding St., Front Plaza Outside
SPEAKERS
· Santa Clara County District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg
· Santa Clara County District 5 Supervisor Joe Simitian
· Second Harvest Silicon Valley CEO Leslie Bacho
· Santa Clara County Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Dewan
· Nelly Yang, Campbell Union School District Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
· Dana Bunnet, Director, Kids in Common
· Doreen Hassan, YMCA, Associate Executive Director – Program & Community Development