70 percent of LSC students receive free or reduced lunches

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lunch period.

It's a time for students to give their brains a rest and focus a little bit more on their stomachs.

Yet, for some students, it's the one time of day they eat.

Lafayette School Corporation (LSC) Superintendent Les Huddle said without the help of the free and reduced lunch program, more than half the school district would go hungry.

"LSC has approximately 7,200 students," said Huddle. "This year, we're bumping up to just under 70 percent of our students who qualify for free and reduced lunches."

Huddle said the free and reduced lunch program has been part of the LSC for decades.

Huddle said it's a government-funded program that allows families who make a combined income of less than a certain amount, to sign their children up for a free or reduced lunch.

At LSC, if a student meets the requirements for the free or reduced lunch program, that information remains confidential. Just like any other student, the student walks through the lunch line, enters their student ID number, and the information pops up in the computer.

Huddle said they understand how hunger can affect a student's ability to learn, and that's why they offer more than just a lunch program.

"We want them to start their day with some type of breakfast, and all our schools offer a breakfast program," said Huddle. "They're provided lunch, and through our after school program, there is even some snacks for kids."

Huddle said families can sign their children up for the program at registration, however, he said families can still apply throughout the year.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation and West Lafayette Community School Corporation also participate in the free and reduced lunch program.

If you are interested in seeing if your family meets the requirements, visit the Lafayette School Corporation website , the West Lafayette School Corporation website , or the Tippecanoe School corporation website , for more details.