Expand free school meals, because all keiki deserve to eat
A family of four must make less than $47,000 per year to qualify for free school meals — but that’s less than half of what is needed to make ends meet. School meals cost about $75 per student per month, which quickly adds up in households with multiple children.
The benefits of universal free school meals are undeniable. Studies show that when schools provide free meals to all students, attendance improves, academic performance rises and behavioral issues decline. A child who starts their day on an empty stomach cannot focus, cannot retain information, and cannot reach their full potential.
However, hope is on the horizon. Senate Bill 1300 would raise the income threshold for a family of four from $47,000 to $110,000, bringing relief in the form of free school meals to thousands more struggling families. The bill passed through the House Finance Committee with overwhelming community support. There was standing room only during the hearing, and more than 40 organizations and 200 individuals sent in written testimony in support.
Expanding access to free school meals is not a financial impossibility — it’s simply a matter of priorities. Eight other states have found ways to fund these programs, and Hawaii can, too. These states have made the commitment to feed their keiki because they understand that feeding children is an investment in our future.
SB 1300 would be an enormous step in the right direction, putting Hawaii on a secure pathway toward ensuring all our keiki can achieve and thrive during the school day and throughout their lifetimes.
