Nearly 7,000 low income children in Alaska can’t get a free or reduced price meal at school because their schools do not offer the breakfast program. Why not? The federal reimbursement for breakfast is simply too low to make it economically feasible for most schools.

Over the last three legislative sessions, Food Bank of Alaska, the Alaska Food Coalition, and the Alaska School Nutrition Association have partnered to request state support for school breakfast and lunch.  The Alaska State Legislature is currently considering legislation (SB 213) which provides state funding to supplement federal dollars received for school meals served to students who qualify for free or reduced price meals.  To view SB 213 follow the link to: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20213&session=26

The bill was passed through the Senate Education Committee and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  We need your help to keep SB 213 moving through the legislative process in Juneau.

Background:

• Lack of adequate nutrition affects the cognitive and behavioral development of children
• Research shows that school breakfast
  • Improves student performance
  • Increases school attendance
  • Decreases school violence
  • Fights obesity and improves nutrition
• 40% of Alaska students qualify for free/reduced school meals (over 45,000 students)
• 15% of the students that qualify for free/reduced school meals do not attend schools that offer a breakfast program (over 7,000 missed meals)
• We urge Alaska to join 29 other states that provide state funds to supplement the federal reimbursement so that all Alaskan children have access to healthy meals at school

Action Needed:

1. Call or Fax or Email members of the Senate Finance Committee, particularly if you are a constituent.  Ask that a hearing be scheduled for SB213 and for their support of the bill.  The Senate Finance Committee members include

• Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair (Bethel – S), 866-465-4453, Senator_Lyman_Hoffman@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-4523 (fax)
• Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair (Sitka – A), 877-463-3973, Senator_Bert_Stedman@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-3922 (fax)
• Senator Dennis Egan (Juneau – B), 907-465-4947, Senator_Dennis_Egan@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-2108 (fax)
• Senator Johnny Ellis (Anchorage – L), 888-330-3704, Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-2529 (fax)
• Senator Charlie Huggins (Wasilla – H), 800-862-3878, Senator_Charlie_Huggins@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-3265 (fax)
• Senator Donald Olson (Nome – T), 800-597-3707, Senator_Donny_Olson@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-4821 (fax)
• Senator Joe Thomas (Fairbanks – D), 800-336-7383, Senator_Joe_Thomas@legis.state.ak.us, 907-465-5241 (fax)

2. Call the Senators who co-sponsored SB 213, particularly if you’re a constituent, and thank them for their support.  The legislation was introduced by Senator Bill Wielechowski (Anchorage-J) and its current cosponsors are:

• Senator Johnny Ellis 888-330-3704
• Senator Lesil McGuire 800-365-2995
• Senator Linda Menard 877-465-6601
• Senator Joe Paskvan 877-665-3709
• Senator Joe Thomas 800-336-7383
• Senator Albert Kookesh 888-288-3473
• Senator Bettye Davis 800-770-3822
• Senator Hollis French 866-465-3892

3. E-mail Robin Stilwell at rstilwell@foodbankofalaska.org if you have any questions and to find out how to get more involved.

What To Say

Below is a letter that you can use as a model for a phone call, letter, or email to your legislator.  We have found it is better to be personal and brief.

“Dear Senator X,

I am writing, as your constituent, to tell you that I care about the health, education and future of Alaska’s children. Research shows that children who have breakfast at school attend school more regularly, perform better academically, are less likely to be disruptive or violent, and are less likely to struggle with obesity.  Please support SB 213 this session to provide state funding for school breakfast and lunch.  It is never the child’s fault who is sitting in school hungry.

Sincerely…”

Getting On and Getting Off

Spread the word and help us fight hunger in Alaska!

• Please forward this alert to one person and encourage him/her to subscribe by e-mailing rstilwell@foodbankofalaska.org.

[Source: Electronic communication from the Food Bank of Alaska Advocacy Alert, March 2, 2010.]