CCISD opens applications for free/reduced meals

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Independent School District application link will be open for parents looking to register their children for free/reduced meals for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic arose during the 2019-2020 school year, the district has been able to offer both free breakfast and free lunch to students, regardless of income or other qualifications.

However, the waiver has expired and now the district will be accepting applications to qualify students for free/reduced meals according to Federal government guidelines.

CCISD, however, will continue its practice of offering free breakfast for all students.

For the 2022-2023 school year, lunch costs will be $2.60, Elementary (PK-5th grade); $2.80, Junior High (6th grade- 8th grade); and $3, 9th-12th grade.

Starting on Monday, July 25, the CCISD Child Nutrition Department live link will be open for submitting Free and Reduced Meal Applications at the district’s website. The direct links for English and Spanish are located at:

English - https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/COPPERASCOVE_TX?langid=1 and Spanish: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/COPPERASCOVE_TX?langid=2.

Those who don’t have access to the forms or a computer, or who need help to complete the online application should contact the district’s Child Nutrition Department at 254-547-1227 x11509 for help. CCISD also has a computer available located at the Child Nutrition Building, 703 W. Avenue D, for those needing access to a computer or for additional help in applying for benefits.  Paper copies of the Free & Reduced Meal application in English and Spanish are for pick up at the Child Nutrition Building.

The following criteria are used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits, to include household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster; child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start. 

Melissa Bryan, Director of Child Nutrition & Warehouse Services, is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible.

The CCISD Child Nutrition Department will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact Melissa Bryan at 254-547-1227 x11502.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school.