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Parent urges Grand Forks School Board to fund meals as SNAP benefits pause
Summary
Amanda Fackler, a clinical social worker and parent, told the board that SNAP benefits will pause Nov. 1 and asked the Grand Forks School Board to allocate funds (she estimated about $100,000) and issue a statement to prevent children from losing access to school meals.
Amanda Fackler, a clinical social worker and parent, urged the Grand Forks School Board on Monday to step in after she said federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will pause on Nov. 1, affecting families served by Grand Forks schools.
"About 10 percent of Grand Forks population receive SNAP benefits," Fackler said. "2,700 of those individuals are children under the age of 18." She told the board that figure represents roughly 36% of students in the district and said those children could lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when SNAP pauses. At one point in her remarks she also said, "27,000 students in our community and our schools will go hungry," a figure that differs from her earlier 2,700 estimate.
Fackler asked the board to allocate funds so the more than 2,700 children she identified can continue to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch and additional meals to take home. Citing the current USDA school meal reimbursement rate she said, "it would cost approximately $100,000 to ensure the 2,700 children in our community do not go hungry." She also urged the board to issue a public statement and to coordinate with city officials and community partners on advocacy and supports.
Board leadership thanked Fackler for her advocacy and said they expected the district and city to respond. No formal action was taken during public comment; the chair said the district would address concerns "in accordance with policies adopted by the board."
