Students need healthy meals to learn. Sierra Vista Unified is committed to providing those meals to all of our students every day. We know that sometimes families face difficulties in making ends meet and being able to provide students with money for school meals. The Arizona Department of Education and the USDA offer a Free & Reduced Meals program that helps families overcome those challenges. Here at SVUSD we want to ensure that you and your students have access to all resources available to you. These Free & Reduced Applications also allow the district to apply for and receive additional federal and state grants like Title 1 funding. Title 1 funding helps with early literacy and reading programs. Many schools have staff dedicated to Title 1, and could potentially lose those staff members and programs if families who qualify for Free and Reduced meals do not apply.
- Who can get free meals?
- All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP, FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) or TANF, can get free meals regardless of your income.
- Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
- Children participating in their school’s Head Start Program are eligible for free meals.
- Children who meet the definition of homeless or runaway are eligible for free meals.
- Children can get free or reduced-price meals if your household’s gross income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.
- How do I know if my student qualifies as homeless or runaway? Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions, please call the SVUSD Homeless Coordinator at 520-515-2742.
- Do I need to fill out an application for each student? No. Use one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information.
- My students’ application was approved in years past, do I need to fill out another one? Yes. Your student’s application is only good for that school year and for the first 30 school days of the next school year.
- I receive WIC, can my student get free or reduced meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
- If my student does not qualify now, may I apply later? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
- Where do I turn in my application? Applications may be submitted in person or by emailing the completed application to sarina.lawrence@svps.k12.az.us. All forms are available online at (new website link live tomorrow) and may be filled out electronically. All information shared on the applications is strictly confidential. If you wish to print your forms you make take them to any school officer or mail them to:
Sarina Lawrence, Food Service Liaison
Room 404
3305 E Fry Boulevard
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Sarina Lawrence at 520-515-2724.