BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Bath (Haverling) Central School District is making sure students won't need to worry about being hungry. Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, students in grades pre-K through twelve will all be eligible for free breakfast and lunch while at school.    

"There tends to be a stigma with getting free or reduced lunches," says Superintendent Joseph Rumsey. "With everybody getting this, it takes the stigma away. You get free breakfast, lunch and if there's an after school program, a snack that goes along with it."

The district, which has already implemented this at the elementary school, was recently approved for a federal program that will provide these lunches district-wide.
    
In order to be approved, at least 50% of the district's population must qualify for these free meals.

"Our kids are awesome," says Rumsey. "But they're coming from some pretty unstable situations at home now a days."

According to the District, seventy students were homeless last year alone. Rising numbers like these now have officials hoping the program will help not only students, but also their parents.

"I can't imagine what a relief it is to not have to worry about lunch money as you're running out the door," says Deborah Barlow, Principal of Vernon Wightman Primary School.

The program will also allow anyone under the age of eighteen to have free breakfast and lunch at both the school cafeteria or Dormann Free Library when they're not in school.
    
The district will now remain eligible for the program for the next four years. Administration says they'll continue to reapply in hopes of securing these meals for their students for years to come.

"There's no excuses," says Rumsey. "Now our job is to entice them to eat more."

"We all feel our kids are there, ready to get the day, started," says Barlow.