Dear Vermont Legislators,

The people who sign this petition are asking for school lunches to stay free for everyone no matter if they qualify for free and reduced lunch. All kids during the pandemic have been getting lunch for free and it has been successful in reducing the embarrassment of being one of the only ones getting the free lunch and kids are being more attentive in class.

Some kids get embarrassed and end up not taking the meals even if they are eligible for the free food.

Hunger can lead to kids getting distracted in class and not doing well in school. “Hungry children have lower math scores, and are more likely to repeat a grade, come to school late, or miss school entirely” according to the National Education Association. 

One reason why it is important for everyone to get the free lunch is “In 2019, the Urban Institute found that up to 42% of Vermont children living in food insecure households were not eligible for free school meals or for 3SquaresVT.” https://www.universalschoolmealsvt.org/

I, as a 7th grader at Edmunds Middle School, think that the Vermont legislature should keep the free lunch for everyone so that kids will be more focused on what they are learning in school and not on what they will eat next.    

Lydia Allen, 7th grader, age 12, Edmunds Middle School, Burlington VT