Advocates gathered in Richmond at the Bell Tower at the Capitol on Monday to call for expanded access to free school meals for all students in Virginia. Despite legislation that would have provided free school breakfast for all public school students failing to pass due to cost concerns, advocates remain committed to fighting for this cause. Virginia law currently requires public schools to participate in federal meal programs, but there are limitations on who qualifies for free meals based on family income. Some schools qualify for a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to offer free meals to all students, but others face financial challenges in implementing this program. Advocates argue that universal free school meals are essential for student well-being and educational success. Proposed federal funding cuts could impact the availability of free school meals in Virginia. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Danica Roem aims to reallocate school meal debt from individual schools to divisions, in order to ease financial burdens on schools. Despite concerns about the cost of expanding free school meals statewide, advocates are determined to push for this important initiative. The bill has passed the Senate and is now before the House for consideration.
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