Free School Lunches

I don't think that my son will ever get free lunches because of the amount of money that I have coming in. I really don't know why they dont' just give the children free lunches, just because we make more money doesn't mean we don't have bills to pay.

My step-daughter just was approved for free lunch. when my husband switched jobs. He was out of work for almost a month. What a Godsend it was. I had been packing her lunch every day because the cafeteria prices were to high. Now I only pack it if there is a field trip. I just tell her no your lunch is free at school. If she doesnt like what is being served they can ask for a peanut butter sandwich everyday.I wouldnt feel bad you have to do what you have to do to make the budget stretch. Atleast you know she has a meal that is more than some kids have.

If it's something she won't eat or won't eat enough of to be full then I say you should pack her lunch- Or at least something to go along with the school lunch- I see nothing wrong with free lunches or reduced lunches- My daughter does not get them- And its a good thing because she only eats the school lunch probably 2 times a week. I can't blame her though- I've gone in to surprise her for lunch and have had to eat some of the stuff they sell- YUK! She packs more often than not- This way I know she is eating healthy and what she likes. But if your child isn't picky- there is nothing wrong with having her get the lunch there.

Well, I used to get free lunches for my son too. It definitely was a blessing. Although, my son would occasionally want to take his lunch too. I would pack him a sandwhich and some chips, fruit and a drink. We have that stuff in the house anyway and I make him lunch on the weekends. Now I make too much money for free or reduced lunches and that's okay too. He has an account at school that I put money on every once in a while but he mainly takes his lunch now. I always let him buy his lunch on pizza days or tell him to on days we are running late. It's really not all that bad making him lunch every day.

My daughter gets free lunches and breakfast this year and I am so grateful for it. She used to pack her lunch everyday and was always still hungry no matter what. The free lunch program is there for kids whose families can't afford to pay those out of control school lunch prices, and you shouldn't feel guilty. At least you know she's getting a good lunch every day! Even if you could afford for her to pack, it's nothing compared to a hot meal.

My daughter has recieved free breakfast and lunches ever since she started full day classes, so for almosr 6 years now.If she doesn't like what they are having for breakfast on the hot food bar there is also cereal and cinnamon toast with juice and milk avaliable in the cafeteria, most days she eats cereal and cxinnamon toast. For lunch, if she doesn't like what they are having, they have an additional hot food bar besides the main meal and a full salad bar avaliable to them, they are allowed to choose what they want to eat. So the only times I have ever had to pack her a sack lunch is when she is going on a field trip. I know what kind of situation you are in with the not being able to afford the stuff to make her sack lunches, I am in the same shape. I am very thankful to have the free-reduced program in place. I would not feel bad at all. You do what you have to do and you know that your child is being taken care of and you are doing the best you can.

School started for us on Monday and we are STILL waiting for the reduced lunch applications to come in, which my family desperately needs!! I asked about getting one on the second day of school and they said that they didn't have any copies left but should be getting some that day. That was 3 days ago and we still don't have them. I don't know why they can't just go and make some copies, darn it! If you cannot afford to pack her lunch then don't feel bad having her get food in the cafeteria, especially since they always offer alternatives.

Don't let this bother you. There are many children who get free or reduced lunches. My kids never took a bag lunch unless they were going on a field trip. I know that the cafeterias in our local schools offer the children a choice of what they want on a daily basis. They always have something that they enjoy.

well Michele21 don't take this the wrong way but you do look very young and please take that as a compliment i would have guessed at 17-18 and would also ask for id if you were sitting in a bar and i was the server. but enjoy it while you can cause it only lasts a short time and it is better then looking older then you really are believe me. i'm just and old guy now but have been going to bars with my father since i was 15 and never got asked for proof of age. thought it was fun at the time but now look back and wish i didn't look so old. lol been lucky i guess got my kids through school with packed lunches mostly didn't have cafeterias back then like they do today schools up here today only have food to buy 2 day a week either pizza or hot dog day but have been lucky with my choice of house's they were always near the schools so kids could come home if they wanted to for hot lunches. well take care and enjoy the younger good looks while you can old age will come soon enough... lol

I don't know what we would do without the free lunches. We just can't afford to buy the supplies for the lunch every day. Let alone the fact that some of it would be eaten for snacks and then come the end of the month we run short. Most schools have a variety to choose from besides the main meal offered. I know the ones here do. So that way even if they don't like one choice there is something else. Usually my neice can find something she likes. I admit in elementary school she didn't get the selection she does now in middle school but she still had a choice.

why feeling bad? its nice to have a free meal!

I have to pay for my school lunch and that sux. I used to buy food in our school cafeteria but it just kept getting more and more expensive so I don;t eat there anymore. Although there are less and less customers they still keep rising the prices.

This is a really good topic for me. My daughter too gets free lunches at school. Its great! I don't have to plan her meals, I don't have to buy all those things like lunch boxes and paper bags and plastic sandwich bags, which cost a lot of money, not to mention the lunch food that she would enjoy taking with her. And there is no way I could possibly make a lunch for her that is as nutritious as the one she eats in the cafeteria. Its a balanced, healthy meal. My daughter as well asked to take her own lunch a few times, and I told her no. But occasionally I might get her a lunchable or something like that so she can feel special. One of things I always thought would be nice, would be to pack her a special lunch with a little encouraging love note included. Something like this on an occasional basis would be a neat thing for you to do for your kid. In fact, I think I'll do this for mine as well tomorrow!

Right now my kids get free lunch. We just moved to Texas and our finances are tight right now. My husband is in sales, just starting out, and because of the cost of child care I am unable to work right now. I am so thankful for the program. I was worried at first that my kids would get picked on but luckily the school is descreet on who gets it or who doesn't. I hope this is only a temporary thing but for now every penny I can save i am thankful for.

I ate free lunch for years and only packed my lunch every once in awhile when there definitely was something there that I really didn't like. It was a special treat being able to take a packed lunch. And there is nothing wrong with making her eat the lunches at school especially if you can't afford lunches. Thats why they have the free lunch program.

My husband and I have four children, his, mine and ours...last year was the first year that I applied for reduced lunches for my children (my step daughter lives with her mom, so she wasn't included as her mom is her custodial parent, and my oldest daughter was in her last year of college, so it was only for my two sons), my ex husband had stopped paying child support (that was still owed) and we just couldn't afford it, I was so grateful to have the reduced rates. I had never wanted to take advantage of it, because it just didn't feel right to me, but when I needed it, it was nice to have it. I don't think anyone who has a need should feel bad about it, as my husband says, that's why we pay taxes.

since I have been divorced, I have received either reduced or free lunches- do not feel bad, the services are there for you, and you may as well take advantage of them. Lunches add up if you look at the price for the whole year. It's just one expense you don't have to worry about.

there is no free school lunches at my country

Heck if it's free I couldn't see buying food either. Of course in High School I refused to eat my free school lunch. My mom eventually gave up after the school called and told her I was giving my lunches to my friends. I also gave my sack lunches away too. I went through a little anorexic phase and it drove her nutts.

Hi, Michele21. My son has been getting free lunch ever since he has been in school. If your daughter wants to bring her own lunch, just let her eat this at home for lunch on the weekends. That is what I would do, if it were my daughter. She still is able to get the free lunch plus eat the lunch that she wants to carry to school... She can now eat this at home. It's a win win situation.