LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Chase Norris wrote a comprehensive letter about poverty in our community citing a number of relevant statistics. He mentioned that the San Marcos Lions Club, the Hays County Food Bank and others are playing a role in helping local families put food on their tables.
One really important factor in reducing poverty is making certain children receive a sound education and each reaches their academic potential. School Fuel, a local all-volunteer non-profit has been working to that end since 2013, sending hungry children home with a sack of nutritious food every weekend of the school year. This year the program is serving about 1,300 SMCISD students each weekend of the school year and next year the program will grow to 1,400. These hungry kindergarten through senior students will have food support on weekends so that they can actually learn on Monday morning instead of focusing on their stomachs.
One other really important asset in helping children learn at school is providing free breakfast and lunch to every student. About 75% of the children enrolled in the SMCISD qualify for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program, but sadly not every parent of hungry students can/will enroll their student. To help hungry children have a brighter future we need to make certain children continue to eat at school and support the SMCISD’s work to make this happen. Weekend food support is also crucial and School Fuel can provide weekend food support for a child for the entire year for only $220 a year. There’s always a need for volunteers. You can learn more about the program at schoolfuelsanmarcos. org. Let’s work together to reduce poverty in San Marcos both now and in the future.
Diane Breedlove San Marcos
