As students deeply committed to the educational well-being of our peers, we are writing to highlight the pressing need for enhanced funding for school lunches. Most students in our schools rely on school meals every single day as our primary source of nutrition, and it serves as the foundation for our ability to learn, focus, and thrive. However, ever since the recent lunch policy changed, there has been a dramatic shift: an increasing number of us are forced to buy food from the canteen just to make it through the school day.

For many of our families who are already struggling, this shift adds an unexpected financial burden. When we cannot afford canteen food or proper meals, we face the school day on an empty stomach. When a student is hungry, their focus is compromised; they cannot engage effectively in their studies, stay awake, or participate fully in classroom activities.

This isn't just how we feel—it is proven by medical and developmental science. According to research led by **Dr. Laurie C. Miller**, a pediatrician, professor, and researcher, nutritional deficits directly impair cognitive development, leading to serious difficulties with concentration, memory, and behavior control in young people. Furthermore, data published in *Frontiers in Education* reveals that students who regularly experience hunger fall behind their nourished peers by the equivalent of 2 to 4 years of schooling in core subjects like mathematics.

Statistics highlight the scale of this issue: according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 30 million students participate in school meal programs, and around 20 million of those depend on free and reduced-price meals. Despite these programs, millions of us still face barriers due to a lack of funding, policy shifts, and bureaucratic red tape.

By increasing funding for school lunches, we can ensure that every single student has access to nutritious meals without relying on expensive canteen purchases. This investment will not only bolster our health and academic performance but also safeguard our dignity and equal treatment in the classroom.

We call on our local, state, and school leaders to increase funding commitments for school lunches. It is time to prioritize nourishing students so we can focus on what truly matters—our education. Please join us in our mission to eliminate classroom hunger and guarantee that no child or teenager has to learn on an empty stomach.

Please sign our petition to demand increased funding for school lunches. Together, we can make a real difference in our education and our future.