There has been an ongoing struggle for years with students being able to have meals when attending K-12 and even college in the United States. Specifically in Ohio the estimate of children facing food insecurity is over 500,000. As it stands, students are expected to attend class, and learn without proper nourishment. Without regular meals this by extension impacts said learning capabilities and overall lower the standard of learning and development state wide. 

House bill 408 will allow students to have access to the food they need for their developing mind and bodies. Not just in their ability to absorb lessons, but also reduce mental stress from not knowing when they will be able to eat next. In the state of Minnesota, which had begun providing free breakfast and lunch within the last year, has seen a steady rise in students eating properly, and by extension seen the GPA rise. 

Now is the time to show support for House Bill 408 as it currently sits in house committee. This petition will help provide a strong statistic of Ohio residents who support our students, and be passed along through the proper channels so their voices can be heard. Attached below will be a link to the bill itself for those who wish to further educate themselves on the finer details. Alongside that will be a template letter to fill out that can be sent to local representatives. 

https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_135/legislation/hb408/00_IN/pdf/

Dear [representative of your district] : 
I hope this letter finds you well. [Insert your name, title, and district you reside in].  I am writing you today concerning Ohio House Bill 408. This bill would ensure school lunches for all students in Ohio’s public-school systems regardless of their financial situation. I believe the success of this bill can drastically improve the lives of children attending public school in our state and help families in our state keep meals on the table in their own homes.
    According to Feeding America, Ohio has a child food insecurity rate of 17.4% as of 2019. This is figure is well above the national child food insecurity rate of 16.1%.  This means that over one in six children in Ohio are unsure where their next meal is coming from. How can we expect children to be effective in school when their minds are occupied with the much more present issue of their stomachs? Passing Ohio House Bill 408 would directly impact this figure as families now have to be concerned about providing one less meal a day, greatly reducing their financial burden while freeing the minds of children from burden to focus on their schoolwork. 
    Providing a universal lunch to children in public schools would also reduce the stigma that children and families in poverty face while participating in current free lunch programs. This would boost the confidence of children in public schools making them feel more equal to their peers, further enhancing their performance in class. Schools can also use this opportunity to encourage healthier eating habits within school children. Youth obesity rates are higher than they have ever been in the U.S, teaching children how to eat properly at school would greatly decrease this figure as well. 
    [Insert a paragraph stating why you personally care about this issue, tell a personal story, or explain your moral reasoning for supporting this issue.] 
    I would greatly appreciate your support on this bill. I find it crucial to ensure children in Ohio are fed during their school day to ensure their productivity in class, enhance their confidence, and reduce the financial stress on families living in Ohio. If you have are available to respond, I would be grateful to hear your thoughts on this matter, thank you so much for your time, Senator. 

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Street Address] 
[Your City, State, and Zipcode]