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Number of Kentucky Students Getting Afterschool Suppers Increasing, But Many More Are Eligible

flickr/USDA

A new report finds the number of children in Kentucky who received afterschool dinners through a federal program increased 16 percent in 2017 over the previous year. 

The report by the national anti-hunger group the Food Research & Action Center is called "Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation."

The study found that 17,000 low-income children in Kentucky took part in afterschool meals last year. The meals are part of federal program that went into effect nationwide with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

In the Bluegrass State, only one out of 25 children who are eligible for the after school meals have been participating. That finding is based on the number of students who qualify for the National School Lunch Program.

The Kentucky Association of Food Banks is working to increase the number of children who take part in the program, especially linking it to other afterschool learning or recreation programs in low-income communities.

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