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Since 2003 began, children have been staying for supper at 15
schools in Illinois, which has joined Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oregon and Pennsylvannia in seeking to reduce
the number of needy children who go to bed hungry. Created by the Department of Agriculture two years ago, the reimbursement
program for suppers is available to schools through the Child and Adults Care Food Program, according to Crystal Weedall FitzSimons,
senior policy analyst, Food Research and Action Center, Washington, D.C. To be eligible, a site must be located in an area
designated low-income (where 50% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals) and children must be
under the age of 18 and enrolled in educational after-school programs. Meals can be hot or cold but must meet USDA nutritional
requirements, FitzSimons adds. It is up to individual schools to implement meal preparation and distribution.
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