Five Hawaii Catholic schools are offering free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2021-2022 school year.
When the information is known by the school, the school will notify households if their children are eligible for free meals by belonging to households receiving assistance from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). No application is required for free meal benefits for these households. All children in these households are eligible for free meal benefits.
If any child is not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the school to receive the free meals.
When the information is known by the school, the school will also notify households of their children’s eligibility for free meals if they are, as defined by law, homeless, migrant, runaway, a foster child or enrolled in Head Start.
If a household chooses to decline free meals, the household must contact the school.
Children will be eligible for free or reduced-price meals according to household size and income.
Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
Here are the participating Catholic schools:
- St. Philomena Early Learning Center, 3300 Ala Laulani Street, Honolulu, HI 96818
- Mary, Star of the Sea Early Learning Center, 4470 Aliikoa Street, Honolulu, HI 96821
- St. Joseph [Elementary] School, 999 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720
- St. Joseph’s Montessori-based Preschool, 999 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720
- St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School, 1000 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720