This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new public charge rule that is likely to increase fear and uncertainty among immigrant and mixed-status families, including families already struggling to afford food.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) has become one of the nation’s most effective tools for ensuring students have access to healthy school meals. CEP allows high-need schools and school districts to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge, eliminating barriers that can prevent children from receiving nutritious meals during the school day.
For many students across Maryland, summer break is an exciting time to look forward to, filled with warm weather and relaxing time with friends. But for many families struggling with food insecurity, summer also brings a real challenge: losing access to the free school meals their children rely on.