On Valentine's day 2017, students across the state participated in the first "Maryland Meals for Achievement Day." Maryland Meals for Achievement is a successful state initiative that expands access to universal breakfast in the classroom in more than 450 high-poverty schools. The program supports both health and learning and has been shown to result in better student attendance, academic performance, and behavior. Unfortunately, the program is underfunded, and many high-poverty schools that want to participate are on a waiting list due to insufficient funding. The goals of Maryland Meals for Achievement Day included raising awareness about the program among schools and legislators with the aim of increasing funding for the program.
On Maryland Meals for Achievement Day, students across the state created special Valentine cards especially for our State's leaders to express their thanks for the program. In the photo, Michael J. Wilson, Director of Maryland Hunger Solutions, presented some of the Valentines that students created to Senator Richard Madaleno and Delegate Sheila Dixson, two state legislators who championed The Maryland Meals for Achievement for Teens Act in 2017. Photos from the event were also shared on social media using the hashtag #iLoveMMFA.
Image credit: Tam Lynne Kelley, Maryland Hunger Solutions; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.
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