CRAWFORD COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Colonel Crawford Local Schools today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals to students for the 2025-2026 program year. The program, which includes the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, is available to students unable to pay the full price of meals.
Under a provision in the State of Ohio Budget for school year 2025-2026, eligible students will receive reduced-price breakfast and lunch at no cost. This funding allows the district to provide free meals to all students who qualify for the reduced-price category.
To determine eligibility, the school district will use Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Children from households with an annual income at or below these federal guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Applications are being sent to all households in a letter to parents and guardians. Families can also pick up additional copies at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required for processing. Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Ohio Works First (OWF) need to provide their child’s name, case number, and an adult signature. Other households must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application (or state “none” if there isn’t one), and the monthly income for each household member.
Families with children eligible for school meals may also be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. For more information or to request an application, families can call 1-800-324-8680 or visit jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm.
All information provided on the applications is confidential and will only be used to determine eligibility. Mandy Trubee, administrative assistant, will review applications and determine eligibility. Families who disagree with the decision may discuss it informally with the determining official or request a formal fair hearing by contacting Superintendent Mike Voll.
Households can apply for benefits at any time during the school year. Families who become eligible due to a change in household size or a decrease in income should contact the school to file a new application.