What does Education Funding have to do with Hunger?

Though one could go on for pages about the importance of a good education in eliminating cycles of hunger and poverty, this year’s state budget debate contains a pressing connection.

Gov. Corbett’s proposed elimination of the Accountability Block Grants (approximately $252 Million sent to school districts last year – mostly used for early education programs) has resulted in the School District of Philadelphia (and approximately 31% of all districts statewide) proposing to move from full day to half day Kindergarten.

This move will have far reaching impacts on families who cannot afford the extra child care costs or loss of work hours – increasing their struggle to remain food secure. What’s more… neither morning or afternoon students in Philadelphia will be given a free school lunch! Only morning students will be given breakfast. Currently, all Kindergarten students in Philadelphia have access to 2 free school meals a day. Now, incoming students will receive either 1 or no meals.

With 1 out of every 3 children in Philadelphia facing food insecurity – restoration of the Accountability Block Grant(ABG) is critical. House Republicans have proposed restoring about half of the ABG cuts. However, in order to do so - they propose cutting program like child care subsidies!

Please call House GOP leadership and tell them their restoration is not enough and that education funds should not come at the expense of programs that benefit children, especially those who need food.

Speaker of the House, Sam Smith: (717) 787-3845

Majority Leader Mike Turzai: (717) 772-9943

Please contact your State Senator and Senate leadership (Sen. Dominic Pileggi, Majority Leader: (717) 787-4712 or dpileggi@pasen.gov) and let them know you expect the Senate budget to reflect full funding for the ABG and other programs that support those who are food insecure.

For Saturday's article on child care subsidies see: Cuts expected to curb child care subsidies.

for an earlier article on the School District of Philadelphia's move from full to half day Kindergarten see: Half Day K a disaster