Sand Springs Schools Unable to Provide Free Meal Programs Due to House Budget Proposal

Sand Springs Public Schools says they are unable to provide free meals for all students in the 2025-2026 school year.

This year, the district provided breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision.

Through the program, districts with 25% of students eligible for free or reduced meals based on income are able to offer free meals for all students.

Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Chair of the House Budget Committee, has proposed $12 billion in cuts to school meals programs for the 2025 budget reconciliation.

Part of the proposal includes increasing the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced meals to 60% in order to offer free meals to all students.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities says 33 schools in the Tulsa School District would be dropped from the program.

What does this mean for Sand Springs Students?

Sand Springs Public Schools will continue to offer a healthy breakfast and lunch to students during the school day.

Qualifying households may receive free or reduced-price meals, but an application must first be submitted and approved.

Applications for free and reduced-price meals will be available this summer.

The district will announce when those applications are available.

Who qualifies for free or reduced meals?

All children in households receiving benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for free meals.

Foster children who 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, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.

Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household's income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

The district encourages all families to apply for free and reduced-price meals, even if they don't think they will qualify. Completing the application impacts funding and resources for the schools.