Calcasieu Parish School Board To Cover Costs For All Students To Have Free Meals During 25-26 School Year

Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - Some good news was announced on Sunday, as the Calcasieu Parish School Board released via Social Media that every kid in Southwest Louisiana will continue to receive Free meals this school year.

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The USDA’s National School Lunch Program helps make sure kids get healthy meals at school. It gives money to schools so they can serve low-cost or even free lunches to students who need them.

I really think all kids should get free lunch at school. You never know what a student might be going through at home. For some kids, that school lunch might be the only real meal they get all day, or even all week. Making sure every child eats isn’t just important; it’s the right thing to do.

Since Hurricane Laura, every kid in Southwest Louisiana has been receiving FREE meals at schools, but the USDA announced they would be stopping fully paying for meals for students who don’t qualify for free or reduced lunch. On Sunday, the Calcasieu Parish School Board decided to step in and help.

The Calcasieu Parish School Board says students will still get free breakfast and lunch for the upcoming school year, as they will cover the costs for the 2025-2026 school year.