Amboy CUSD #272 Free and Reduced Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally funded meal program which provides both food and cash donations to subsidize the cost of school lunch in participating schools. The NSLP was established by President Harry Truman in 1946 and is presently operating in more than 96,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care centers. The program is managed at the federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and at the state level by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

In order to receive the benefits of the NSLP, participating schools must offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. The schools must also comply with nutritional requirements outlined by the federal government. These guidelines follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend no more than 30 percent of a person's calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. Lunch menus must also be designed to provide children with 1/3 of the key nutrients they need each day (calories, protein, Vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron). District 272 develops menus that are nutritionally balanced and appetizing at a low cost to students and their families.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can my child eat breakfast at school?
Yes. District 272 now offers breakfasts at all three schools. Full cost of breakfast is $1.35 and .30 reduced price.

How do children qualify to receive free or reduced-price meals?
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the NSLP. Some children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on their household income. Children who do not qualify are required to pay a full price although their meals are still subsidized to some extent.

How to apply for free or reduced-price meals:
Applications for free or reduce-price meals may be picked up at any District 272 School or the District Office. Return the completed application to:

Karen Henkel, District Manager of Cafeteria Services
Amboy CUSD #272
11 E. Hawley
Amboy, IL 61310

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

If you now receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for your child(ren), your child can receive free meal services.

A foster child may receive free or reduced-price meal services regardless of household income.

If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Guidelines below, your child(ren) can receive free or reduced-price meal services.

FEDERAL INCOME GUIDELINES (Effective from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

WEEKLY

MONTHLY

1

$ 388

$ 1.679

2

$ 524

$ 2,268

3

$ 660

$ 2,857

4

$ 796

$ 3,446

5

$ 932

$ 4,035

6

$1,067

$ 4,624

7

$1,203

$ 5,213

8

$1,339

$ 5,802

Each additional family member

$ +136

$ 589

HOW TO APPLY:

• If you now receive food stamps or TANF for the child(ren) you are applying for, you will need:

1 The child(ren)'s name(s),
2 A food stamp or TANF case number for each child (Link card number cannot be used).
3 The signature of an adult household member.

• If you are applying for a foster child, the application must include:

1 The child's name.
2 The child's "personal use" income.
3 The signature of an adult household member.

• If you do not list a food stamp or TANF case number for the child(ren) you are applying for, then the application must have:

1 The child(ren)'s name(s).
2 The names of all household members.
3 The amount of income each person received last month and where it came from.
4 The signature and Social Security number of an adult household member or the word "none" if that adult does not have a Social Security number.

• Mediplan only recipients may not be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal services.

Verification:

School officials may check your eligibility at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to submit papers showing that your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meal services.

Fair hearing:

You may talk to school officials if you do not agree with the school's decision on your application or the results of verification. You also may ask for a fair hearing. You may do this by calling or writing:

Jeff Thake, Superintendent Amboy CUST #272
11 East Hawley Street
Amboy, IL 61310
(815) 857-2164

Reporting changes:

• If your child receives free or reduced-price meal services because of your income, you must tell the school if:

1 Your household size decreases.
2 Your income increases by more than $50 per month or $600 per year.

• If your child receives free or reduced-price meal services because they receive food stamps or TANF, you must tell the school when you are not receiving TANF or food stamps for them for them. You may then fill out another application giving income information.

Confidentiality:

School officials use the information on the application only to decide if your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meal services. Parent or legal guardian signature is required on the application to allow school officials to release the application information and Social Security number for purpose of identifying household members for other services.

Reapplication:

You may apply for free or reduced-price meal services any time during the school year.

• If you are not eligible now but have a change such as:

1 A decrease in household income,
2 An increase in household size,
3 Become unemployed or receive food stamps or TANF for your child(ren), you may complete an application then.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to:

USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
Room 326-W
Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Or call:
(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2011-2012 Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch Program Application
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Return to Cafeteria Services

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District #272 Welcome Page

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Amboy High School

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Amboy Junior High School

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Amboy Central Elementary School

The Amboy Community Unit School District 272 web site is for informational purposes only. No one associated with Amboy Community Unit School District 272 assumes any responsibility for its accuracy. The information is subject to change without notice. Please send your questions or comments to Amy Wittenauer, awittenauer@amboy.net. Last updated on 07/06/09.