Michigan Schools Gear Up to Feed Students Amid Food Aid Pause

As federal food assistance is set to pause on November 1, 2023, schools across Michigan are mobilizing resources to ensure that families remain fed. Many institutions will rely on existing programs to provide meals outside of school hours, with a particular focus on increasing free breakfast offerings. The potential lapse in support threatens to exacerbate food insecurity for the state’s economically disadvantaged students, who represent a significant portion of the school population.

“I’m very worried,” said Camille Hibbler, superintendent of Ferndale Public Schools, where approximately 54% of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Hibbler added, “This will impact a large part of my student population. We’re already reaching out to families to ensure they know they can tap into us as a resource.”

The implications of hunger extend beyond mere nutrition; educators fear it will hinder students’ ability to focus and learn effectively. Schools have traditionally served as a vital resource for students in need, offering free breakfast and lunch regardless of income. This effort has been bolstered in recent years, with the state making both meals universally available to all students.

Currently, over a million residents in Michigan may face the loss of food assistance benefits due to the federal government shutdown. With around 50% of students classified as economically disadvantaged—based on criteria such as eligibility for free or reduced lunch programs—school leaders anticipate increased demand for food services.

Many are looking to expand on existing frameworks, including after-school snack programs and community initiatives where volunteers pack food bags for students to take home over weekends. However, concerns persist regarding the sustainability of these programs, many of which rely on private donations.

“We’re also just, in many ways, under-resourced,” stated Chris Burkhalter, who coordinates a weekend meal program for seven schools in Dearborn. He highlighted that the demand for his program, Blessings in a Backpack, has outstripped available resources.

In addition to increasing breakfast offerings, June Altom, president of the School Nutrition Association of Michigan, noted that lunch participation may also rise as families grapple with tightened food budgets. Even those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits often struggle toward the end of the month when their resources dwindle.

The Michigan Department of Education is ramping up outreach efforts to public schools, providing guidance on available resources. Deanne Kelleher, director of the department’s Office of Nutrition Services, emphasized that schools could enhance their meal programs by adjusting serving times, potentially increasing participation.

Kelleher also pointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s after-school snack program, which remains funded and available in some schools, as a critical resource during this challenging period. Additionally, the Emergency Food Assistance Program facilitates food distribution through various community organizations, food banks, and pantries.

With weekends posing a significant challenge for food access, organizations across the United States have long sought to fill this gap. Burkhalter’s program distributes bags of shelf-stable food to students every Friday, ensuring they have meals over the weekend. The contents often include staple items like mac and cheese, canned tuna, fruit cups, granola bars, and oatmeal.

As the pause in food assistance approaches, Burkhalter anticipates a rise in demand from families who previously did not require assistance. “We do think a disruption like this is going to cause families who didn’t receive blessings bags before to suddenly think, ‘We could actually use those now,'” he explained.

In a similar vein, Susan Erspamer, executive director of the Hospitality House Food Pantry in Commerce Township, is preparing for increased demand as the pause looms. Volunteers at her pantry pack discreet bags for students to take home, ensuring they return to school nourished and ready to learn.

Research has consistently shown that food insecurity adversely affects children’s learning and behavior. A 2018 study published in the journal Child Development found that food insecurity in early childhood is linked to lower academic performance and increased behavioral issues. Kelleher articulated the connection, stating, “If a student is hungry, that’s the only thing they can think about. Nutrition does feed our brain, and we need it for things like reading and math.”

Altom expressed concern that families might resort to purchasing less nutritious food options due to financial constraints, potentially impacting child development. Hibbler encapsulated the urgency of the situation, asserting that it is “inhumane” for students to go without their basic needs.

“We shouldn’t be the only ones worried about this,” she remarked. “It sure feels like that sometimes, and it’s frustrating. But we are going to wrap our arms around our community. The bottom line is we cannot expect for anyone—staff, student, adult, child—to be successful when they’re not getting their basic needs.”

As Michigan schools brace for the potential fallout of halted food assistance, they remain committed to providing support and nourishment to their students and families.