Lake Center Christian outlines free, reduced-price meal policy for 2024-25

Lake Center Christian School has announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-25 school year under the National School Lunch Program.

The policy is available for review in each school office and the central office. Families meeting federal income eligibility guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. In addition, Ohio’s state budget for the 2024-25 school year includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals, allowing eligible students to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge.

Application forms have been distributed to households in a letter to parents and guardians. Additional copies are available in school offices. Families that receive SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First benefits must include their case number and the signature of an adult household member on the application. Households that do not receive benefits must provide names of all members, income details, and the last four digits of the signing adult’s Social Security number, or indicate “none.”

Foster children are automatically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of household income. Families may apply for benefits at any time during the school year, especially if their household size increases or income decreases.

Applications are reviewed by Teri Foster, who will determine eligibility. Families who wish to appeal a decision may request a fair hearing by contacting Foster at Lake Center Christian School, 12893 Kaufman Ave., Hartville, OH 44632.

Households will be notified of approval or denial after applications are processed.

Children eligible for school meals may also qualify for free health care coverage through Medicaid or Ohio’s Healthy Start and Healthy Families programs, which include doctor visits, immunizations, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and more. Information is available by calling 800-324-8680 or visiting jfs.ohio.gov.

According to federal civil rights law, the program is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be available in languages other than English, and alternative communication formats are offered for persons with disabilities.

For more information on the free and reduced-price meal program, contact Lake Center Christian School at 330-877-2049.