SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Springfield school superintendent Norm Ridder is suggesting that the district consider feeding its hungry students a free meal on Saturdays.
Ridder says he's proposing the idea because he's concerned that the district has too many children who are going hungry, which makes it harder to study and learn.
He's proposing offering a free breakfast or lunch to anyone age 18 or under on Saturdays at a middle school. Ridder says the U.S. Agriculture Department provides funding to prepare and provide the food.
The Springfield News-Leader reports (http://sgfnow.co/u6orXx) that if the school board approves the idea, a pilot program could begin in February or March.
Under the proposal, parents also could eat if they pay a small fee. No income or other documentation would be required.
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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com