Since
2003 began, children have been staying for supper at 15 schools in Illinois, which has joined Delaware, Michigan, Missouri,
New York, Oregon and Pennsylvannia in seeking to reduce the number of needy children who go to bed hungry. Created by the
Department of Agriculture two years ago, the reimbursement program for suppers is available to schools through the Child and
Adults Care Food Program, according to Crystal Weedall FitzSimons, senior policy analyst, Food Research and Action Center,
Washington, D.C. To be eligible, a site must be located in an area designated low-income (where 50% or more of students qualify
for free or reduced-price school meals) and children must be under the age of 18 and enrolled in educational after-school
programs. Meals can be hot or cold but must meet USDA nutritional requirements, FitzSimons adds. It is up to individual schools
to implement meal preparation and distribution.
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