WRPS will continue meal benefits despite government shutdown

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The WRPS school meals program will continue despite the current government shutdown. Superintendent Ron Rasmussen sent out a letter to families this week to reassure them.

“ We don’t want the government shut down or other economic hardships right now to prevent students from enjoying a healthy meal within our school buildings for breakfast and lunch,” says Rasmussen. “We know that students who have healthy meals, generally perform better academically, and we just want to continue to provide those.”

DPI received November funds

Rasmussen said they’ve heard from the Department of Public Instruction that normal November meal funds have been received. DPI will disperse the funds as usual this month.

“And even outside of that, I think as an organization, we’d want to continue to provide meals to our students as well,” says Rasmussen.

Meal benefit applications available year-round

Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Rasmussen says families are facing SNAP benefits being delayed and he encourages families to tap into community partners such as FOCUS and the United Way’s 211 Resource Center.

He shared that students on any kind of meal benefit program are not singled out in any way. The only requirement is that students take a complete meal. This includes the main entree (carbohydrate), a vegetable, fruit, and milk.

“ We have excellent, healthy options for students in all of our buildings. We have a fresh salad bar available for all of our students,” says Rasmussen. “In some of those buildings, such as at Lincoln and at WRAMS, some of the lettuce is actually grown by our students that we serve within our lunch line as well.”

The school district moved to a different milk vendor this year. Rasmussen said this has been a positive change and they feel the milk is fresher for students.