Many students in Putnam County will have the opportunity to eat a no-cost breakfast and lunch at school through the Community Eligibility Provision program when schools start up on August 24, 2023. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) was enacted as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and provides universal meal service to children in high-poverty areas. The CEP serves as an alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced-priced eligible students in high-poverty schools. If at least 40 percent of a school’s student population is directly certified for free meal benefits, the entire school qualifies for the free meal option.
“I am proud that Putnam County Schools will be participating in the CEP program again to help meet a crucial need for many students in our county,” said John Hudson, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools.
“We know academic achievement increases when our students are well-fed and ready to learn, and we must provide secure and reliable access to nutritious meals so all students have a chance to achieve at the highest level possible.”
Putnam County Schools will have the following nine schools participating in the CEP for the 2023-24 school year: Buffalo Elementary, Confidence Elementary, Hometown Elementary, Hurricane Town Elementary, Lakeside Elementary, Poca Elementary, Rock Branch Elementary, Poca Middle, and Poca High. The program allows the school system to feed nearly 2,100 students two free meals daily.
NOTE: Meal applications are NOT needed for students attending any CEP schools listed above.
*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.