Fort Smith Public Schools accepting reduced meal applications

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Fort Smith Public Schools will participate in the National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and the School Breakfast Program, according to a news release.

Households participating in the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Additionally, households with children who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may apply with abbreviated information as described in the application instructions.

The graph below lists other eligibility guidelines for reduced-meal applications.

Applications can be found at your child’s school or at LinqConnect.com .

Children certified by the district as foster, migrant, homeless, or runaway are categorically eligible for free meals.

Contact The Parker Center at 479-785-8182 with questions regarding foster, migrant, homeless, or runaway meal benefits.

To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete and return the application. Applications will be considered incomplete if all information is not provided as described in the application instructions.

Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year if a loss of income results in household earnings meeting eligibility criteria for the period of unemployment.

Households notified of their eligibility but do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school.

SNAP households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.