School lunch program expands to school #8

In Maryland, federal money will allow Montgomery County to extend its free summer lunch program to an eighth school. Rolling Terrace elementary school will now offer free lunches during the summer, which any child who comes to the school can receive. Schools superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast says without federal money, the extension couldn't have happened because of the county's tight budget. He says fed students make better students, even during the summer. "What we don't want in all of the hub-bub, with all of the big problems that exist, is for us to lose out on this one problem, which really makes a difference in the lives of families," says Weast. Since the program started in 2006, it has seen an increase in participants of more than 34 percent. Last summer, the school system served over 333,000 meals. SOURCE: WAMU