Wilkes County Schools Elementary and Middle Schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This program provided a free reimbursable breakfast and lunch each day a student is in attendance. Our high schools do not participate in this program; however, they do participate in the traditional free and reduced program where eligibility of free or reduced meal service is determined through Direct Certification or by application each school year.
Direct certification is the process under which Local Education Agency's (LEA) certify children who are members of households receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance (formerly TANF) or FDPIR as eligible for free school meals, without further application, based on information provided by the State/local agency administering those programs. The Child Nutrition Office will complete this process and notify eligible students by letter through the US postal service. Should you participate in one of the programs listed above and have not received a notification letter please contact the Child Nutrition Office at 336-651-4007.
Applications will be available early August at each High School, Wilkes County Schools Central Services, or the Child Nutrition Office. Eligibility starts once the application is processed and benefit eligibility is not retroactive.