Belton Students Eat Free for the Remainder of the School Year

The 2020-2021 school year has been challenging enough without students having to concentrate over the sound of their stomachs growling. The USDA seems to agree, as they've extended waivers that will allow the Belton Independent School District to distribute meals free of charge to all the district's students for the remainder of the academic year.

Whether they're learning on campus or online, all Belton ISD kids, regardless of previous eligibility, will receive school day breakfast and lunch. (Not on scheduled breaks or holidays, though.)

On-campus students will be able to get their meals in their school's cafeteria as usual. Remote learners, as well as any child 18 or younger, can pick up their meals at these curbside locations:

Southwest Elementary - 611 S. Saunders. St., Belton

Pirtle Elementary - 714 S. Pea Ridge Rd., Temple

Miller Heights Elementary - 1110 Fairway Dr., Belton

North Belton Middle School - 7907 Prairie View Rd., Temple

Pickup times are 8:00-8:30 AM for breakfast and 12:00-1:00 PM for lunch. If the child for whom the lunch being picked up isn't present, the parent or guardian present will need to show the child's student ID, report card, birth certificate, shot record, or some other form of proof that they're acting on the child's behalf.

“We are grateful to be able to provide nutritious meals to all our students at no charge,” said Donna Shelton, Belton ISD Assistant Director of School Nutrition, wrote Thursday. “We know this year has been difficult for a variety of reasons, and we hope being able to provide meals at no charge is a convenience for families in the Big Red Community.”

Although you won't be charged for these meals through the end of the school year, families are still encouraged to submit a Free and Reduced Price School Meal Application at nlappscloud.com. Eligible applicants receive additional benefits outside of meal service, and submissions help ensure Belton ISD campuses receive further funding to support students.

If you have any questions, you can call Belton ISD's Nutrition Services department at (254) 215-2186.