The March 10 editorial “Poverty hits classrooms” on child poverty notes that adequate nutrition is essential for kids to do well in school. There are two things that our elected representatives can do, right now, to make a difference in the lives of Clark County schoolchildren.
First, Washington lags behind most other states in making sure eligible kids start the day with a healthy school breakfast. Just like free and reduced-price school lunch, school breakfast can fuel learning. The state Senate can join the House in passing Senate Bill 5437, which guarantees more students a quick breakfast in the classroom.
Second, we can take another step toward ending the Great Recession’s impact on kids and families. Lawmakers slashed state food assistance benefits for immigrant families in 2012. They haven’t been restored yet. With hunger and hard times lingering for 1 in 5 kids in food-insecure households, the 2015-16 budget ought to end the 25 percent cut to state food assistance. Our schools’ success, and our kids, deserve no less.
Karen Morrison
Vancouver
