Message from the Director

Dear Student and Parents,

Welcome to another great school year.  As most of you probably already know, this year school year meals are NOT free.  Beginning August 30th, 2022 student accounts will be charged for meals unless they qualify for School Meal Benefits. 

Why?  Waivers were granted during the pandemic that covered the cost of student meals.  These waivers have expired.

How? Families must apply for meal benefits.  All households will receive a free and reduced application the first day of school.  You can also go on the School District Website and print off the appllication on the School Nutrition Services link.  

Please see below NEW meal prices for the 2022-23 school year: 

ELEMENTARY (Hillcrest, Whittier and Butte Central Elementary)

Student                                    Full Pay           Reduced        Adult    
Breakfast                                $1.75                 $.30                 $2.25   
Lunch                                      $2.75                 $.40                 $4.25
 

EAST AND BUTTE HIGH SCHOOL

Student                                    Full Pay           Reduced        Adult      
Breakfast                                $1.75                 $.30                 $2.25     
Lunch                                      $3.00                 $.40                 $4.25

 

Milk                                          $ .60 for all

 

Also, new this year we have four schools that qualify for the CEP Program (Community Eligibility Provision).  This program allows schools with a high percentage of needy families to serve free meals to all students enrolled at that school.  This means if your child attends either West Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Emerson Elementary and Margaret Leary their meals will be totally free.  This includes both breakfast and lunch.  Parents at these schools do not need to fill out a hot lunch application or have their income verified in any way to participate in the CEP program.  It is totally free to all students in these four schools!  BUT, if you have students in schools in addition to the four noted, you will still need to complete a Free/Reduced meals application to cover all your children.

 

EMERSON, KENNEDY, MARGARET LEARY AND WEST

FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

 

Free and Reduced applications will be coming home with each and every student (except at West, Kennedy, Emerson and Margaret Leary) at the start of the school year.  It is very important that they be filled out and returned as soon as possible so as not to incur unnecessary charges. If you have an incoming Kindergarten student this is especially true.  If you have any doubt at all about qualifying, please fill out the application anyway.  It is in your best interest to at least try to qualify for Free or Reduced meals for your children. Remember however, that filling out an application is Not Mandatory!

 

Please remember that you only need to fill out one application per household.  It is important in these difficult times to keep balances paid in full at all times so we can continue to provide meals at a minimal cost to everyone.  We do need to pay for the food we serve and we do rely on the revenue that comes from student accounts to pay our bills.  We are here and happy to assist you in any way, with helping you to fill out the actual application or to answer any questions or concerns that you might have.  We honestly want to see any families needing additional support receive this benefit.  We want to assure that all children get the healthy meals they need at school in order to succeed.

 

Please make sure to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application and get it turned in as soon as possible.  If you do not receive a Notification of Eligibility Letter from us for the current year that means we have not received your application.   Please do not delay in being sure your students are qualified.  You may also mail or bring in your application at any time to 2801 Grand Avenue, Butte MT. 59701 just to be certain that we receive it here at the Warehouse.

 

It is not required, but households are encouraged to apply for benefits if they are having trouble making ends meet.  Approximately 1 in 4 Montanans are likely to be eligible but fail to apply, and only 30% of eligible Seniors participate.  Households eligibility as determined by the State is based on participation in the following programs:

 

      SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly known as Food Stamps

      TANF (Temporary Assistance of Needy Families)

      FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

      Homeless – Migrant - Head Start or students in Foster Care as determined by the

      appropriate Agency

 

To qualify you must meet two income guidelines, Gross and Net Pay.  To apply for any of these programs a household can go online to: https://apply.mt.gov or contact a local assistance office.  For additional SNAP Application Assistance families may also contact the MT Food Bank Network Helpline at (406) 239-6745.  Your local office address is Office of Public Assistance, 700 Casey Street, Butte, MT. 59701

 

Our goal is once again to make sure that no child in the district has to go to class hungry or be deprived of the other benefits that can be available such as the P-EBT cards that are issued by the Government.  These cards are based on your Free/Reduced Applications.  

 

We thank you for your participation in the school breakfast and lunch programs. We strive to provide a nutritious meal at a reasonable cost for all students.  I hope you will give your children a chance to try our school breakfast and lunch offerings so they may enjoy affordable, convenient, healthy meals at school!

 

Thank you for your support of the school meal program. Please feel free to call our staff at any time (406) 533-2590 with any concern, or if you would like to become involved in our on-going efforts to provide Butte’s kids with the food and environment they need to achieve success!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kurt Marthaller
Director of Central Services
Butte School District #1