Feds to pay for breakfast
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The Lincoln Elementary School Breakfast Club serves an simple meal to an average of 140 students each day. Clubs like this are being taken over by a governmental unit early next year.
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Children make their way through the line at the Lincoln Elementary School Breakfast Club on Thursday. The volunteer-funded and -operated group feeds an average of 140 students a day.
JANESVILLE — The Janesville School District plans to take over the free-breakfast programs run by churches and other volunteer groups for many years.
The announcement has raised questions and consternation among volunteers.
School officials said Wednesday they still welcome volunteers in the schools, and they expect that the federal Universal Free Breakfast program will pay the entire cost of the school-run breakfast program.
The move affects breakfast clubs at Adams, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Roosevelt, Washington and Wilson elementary schools.
Jackson, Madison and Wilson schools also have the federal breakfast program running side-by side with the clubs. Four elementary schools that don't have free breakfast now will offer it under the federal program.
Officials don't keep track of how many students use the breakfast clubs, but it appears numbers easily run into the hundreds each school day.
The district is telling organizations that run the clubs that the district will take over the purchase, preparation and serving of food to children each morning starting Jan. 28.
"However, there will still be a significant need to help with the supervision and mentoring of the students along with providing daily role models to our children," according to a letter sent Friday.
The letter asks "our valued volunteers" to contact their schools to let officials know whether they would continue to help with breakfast.
School board members and The Gazette have heard from volunteers who were surprised by the change.
"There are quite a few people upset about it," longtime volunteer Verne Vollrath said.
Officials said federal per-student reimbursements would cover all costs. They could provide no estimate of how much the cost would be.
Vollrath understands that the change won't add to the local property tax levy.
"But whose money is it? It's our money that goes through Washington, and some gets siphoned off, and some of it comes back to us," Vollrath said. "To me, it's just a horrible thing."
District Finance Director Keith Pennington and Food Services Director Jim Degan told The Gazette that the federal program offers a way to deliver nutritious meals, and the paid staff can do the job without the few health-code violations that some of the programs have seen.
Rock County environmental health officer Tim Banwell said the breakfast programs at these schools all get high scores, although some have had minor violations.
Banwell checked the most recent reports and found violations that included a refrigerator that kept milk at 47 degrees instead of the required 41 degrees and storage shelves with bare wood or ceiling tiles that should be replaced with smooth, non-absorbent surfaces.
"We've been really happy with the way the schools are run," Banwell said.
Federal nutrition standards were revised recently in response to the national obesity epidemic, Degan said, so more fruits and vegetables are required than in the past. Workers also control for fat, calories, sugar and sodium.
Breakfast clubs are not specifically mentioned in the new federal standards, but regulations refer to all the food served during a school day, Degan said.
"We want to be responsible for those restrictions because we are responsible for the whole food area," Pennington said.
Asked whether the breakfast clubs are providing too much sugar or carbohydrates, Pennington said it's possible, but the district doesn't monitor what the clubs serve.
The change might require a small increase in food-service hours or employees, but labor costs are minimal because much of the food is grab-and-go, Degan said.
Workers who are already at the schools preparing midday snacks or lunch can carry much of the load, officials said. Volunteers are needed to help kids open packages, sit with them and perhaps do some cleaning, but school workers will handle the rest, officials said.
The district's three middle schools switched to the federal program last year, and numbers of students doubled or tripled, Degan said.
Also getting federally funded breakfast are Rock River and TAGOS charter schools and Lincoln Elementary School. The change will bring the program to all 12 elementary schools.
Vollrath and others said the breakfast clubs have cash reserves from donations. It appears those reserves could add up to thousands of dollars.
Pennington said the clubs are free to find another use for the money.
Some clubs have bought equipment, and Pennington said it belongs to the clubs.
Pennington emphasized volunteers are more than welcome to help out at schools, either in the breakfast program or elsewhere in the schools. Those interested should contact the school's office.
Most Janesville school breakfast clubs started in the early to mid-1990s, according to Gazette files.
The Wilson Elementary School club is the granddaddy of them all. It started in 1989 and was first housed at First Congregational Church.
Dec 17, 2012 at 6:19 p.m.
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I am not the one who picked that man to be on camera and he said "don't take awa me bbef" just stating what was on TV. IT is PROVEN more minorites voted than ever before. Why is this?????Also facts. Nothing to do with racism!
Dec 17, 2012 at 6:18 p.m.
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correct- free for those that eat it and costs lots for people who will never set foot in any of the buildings.
lazy people come in all colors!
Dec 17, 2012 at 1:31 p.m.
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carlo- I need help because I don't like lazy people who abuse the system and wont work and are able????????
Dec 15, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.
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nanaof3 If you look at what areas it was first introduced at, you would know the purpose in the beginning. It has spread over the years But was at certain schools with lower income levels. Wilson being the pilot program of it. frogger you really need help IMO
Dec 15, 2012 at 12:27 p.m.
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The breakfast clubs are for any student who wants to come. It is not based on need or income. If the kids just want to come and eat and be with friends before school, that's OK, they are welcome. The kids do not have to qualify for reduced or free lunch to eat breakfast at school. If they go to school, they can eat.
Dec 15, 2012 at 12:22 p.m.
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I have met the lazt free loaders who wont work. I have no respect for them!!!
Dec 15, 2012 at 12:21 p.m.
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I don't like lazy free loaders who can but wont work. I admit that!
Dec 15, 2012 at 10:42 a.m.
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Dems have been in office way to long this issue will only get worse as people want to keep getting free things and abusing the system. A man on tv was shouting "dont take away my beef"
Dec 15, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.
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I am not racist. Just seems people of color are now voting for a black man for no other reason than he is black. Who is racist now.
Dec 14, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
Dec 14, 2012 at 2:11 p.m.
Dec 14, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.
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frogger, this has been going on much longer than Obama has been in the public eye, it is a mindset that is very dangerous.
Dec 14, 2012 at 1:48 p.m.
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When you get to the big world most jobs dont feed you. I would work much better if my job feed me all day long and I wouldn't have to apy for my own food. I am hungry now but not enough people here to get a decent lunch. Had an apple and a crappy $1 frozen meal. IT isn't working so far.
Dec 14, 2012 at 12:13 p.m.
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Carlitosway, the Breakfast program is NOT based on need. It is based on whether you show up for breakfast or not. MANY children come to school without having breakfast. MANY children in the district go home to no dinner. I agree that parents should feed their own children BUT, if they don't we don't feed the kids??? (PS first hand knowledge, yes I've worked in the district)
Dec 14, 2012 at 11:28 a.m.
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eaglre- that is what Obama is trying to do.
How can there be no food at home with food stamps and free food at Echo? Shame on the parents fortrading the card for cash to buy crap vs feeding the kids if this is what goes on. IF thisis the case then take the kids away. IF you buy crap vs feeding your kids you dont deserve the kid and the welfare.
Dec 14, 2012 at 11:25 a.m.
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For the people that are opposed to this because they think it should be the parents responsibility to feed and take of their children i understand what you are saying and agree with it completely, but by not offering this your not really punishing the parents you are hurting the kids. Sometimes you have to hold your breath and do whats right.
Dec 14, 2012 at 10:50 a.m.
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Wow justification for bad parenting all over... screw up the government will clean up my mess... great message, let's keep expanding that mindset.
Dec 14, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.
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The truth of the matter is this. Kids go hungry in this community every day. Sometimes the food they receive at school is the only food they get all day. The generosity of strangers has helped to keep our hungry kids full over the years. Under the guidance of our First Lady, the government is trying to make a difference in our youth lives. It's a shame more of you don't know the facts about poverty in Janesville. Just because there's work out there doesn't mean parents are making enough to pay the rent and buy groceries. If you are fortunate enough to afford those luxuries, consider yourself to be among some of the wealthiest people in the world.
Dec 14, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.
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This is where you see the truth behind the Ban on Abortion as to once the child is born THEY ARE NOTHINGS and the ones that want this are as sick as those that promote it. Remember the old saying??? *It takes a village to raise a child*. I pray for those that have children and preach this disgusting hate towards those less fortunate then them. We are all Gods Children and deserve to be treated as such.
Dec 14, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.
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News flash - Part of the responsibility of having children includes feeding them.
Dec 14, 2012 at 8:14 a.m.
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This is a good thing and IF walker had his way the POOR families would not have this nor free/reduced lunches This is a program that benefits children and families based on income and need. To those that have so much MONEY and have never needed help For their children, Please keep you mouths shut, as if you think the kids like Having to do this because they don't have the wealth you seem to have, Guess again as it is hard on them as to the kids making fun of them and You can bet it is most likely kids who have parents like the negative ones in here when it comes to anyone needing a little help or THE ONES THAT IN THEIR OWN MIND are millionaires and Poor people are beneath them. Merry Christmas to all those who have no heart and post sure hate against those that have more heart then they ever will. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! Thank You President Obama for caring about the American Children....
Dec 14, 2012 at 7:57 a.m.
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tpaine,
Should the feds (who do you think are the feds?) pay for lunch and dinner? If not why not-and why should teachers and staff be left hungry-can teachers teach effectively on a hungry stomach?
Dec 14, 2012 at 6:52 a.m.
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"we get to watch the cheap, greedy right-wing idealogues that inhabit this blog pile on reasons to take food from the mouths of poor children in their ill-informed crusade to help the "job creators."
no,no you have it ALL wrong! the republicans are trying to "teach the kids to fish" AFTER they steal their breakfast and fishing pole!!
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:54 p.m.
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complain, complain, complain, and then get more money from the taxpayers through the federal government. HYPOCRIT is the first word that comes to mind !!!
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:17 p.m.
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I Wonder why we need the feds involved at all. All we have done is moved the money from one pocket to the other. I don’t like the feds involved at such a low level in a community as this. I think it send the wrong message about what is “free” and what is not.
I do like the idea of the kids getting a breakfast, but I have no idea what the content of that breakfast is. For some I am sure it is badly needed, for others maybe not so much. But overall a meal in a kid is a good idea; I just wish we would keep it coming from the local and not the feds.
Dec 13, 2012 at 8:02 p.m.
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HOO RAY MORE FREE CRAP FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYBODY. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT IS.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:24 p.m.
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We don't need volunteers. We have the federal government for that. Upset? Just understand it's for the greater good.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:14 p.m.
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So the food was donated before. Now will have to pay cash(donations) for donated food. Or is it still free from the feds. All seems suspious anyway.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:12 p.m.
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"That way they'll have a better chance to go on to higher education, and not need assistance when they have families of their own."
OR they assume this is how life works and stay in the system of entitlement.
I still don't get with all the free food why more free food. Parents cannot feed the kids? Send breakfast with them. I am glad somebody feeds them just wish parents would get involoved. Take responciblility for your kids you brought into this world.
SO the kids were fed at church and not the school. So somebody had to drop them at church then off to school. You couldnt feed them during that time?
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:10 p.m.
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Some of the volunteers have been providing breakfast to children for years. They serve food donated by members of the community. Many churches organize teams / building with the church members supporting expenses.
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Federal funds for the same service is a step backwards. But a way for the school district to possibly make a profit with tax dollars. Crazy.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:06 p.m.
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I'd rather see the money go to the needy families, but unfortunately the reality is the extra money wouldn't translate into healthy breakfasts for the kids. I think it's important to do what's necessary to keep kid's minds on school instead of their bellies, and teach them well, while showing them that they have self worth, and value to their community. That way they'll have a better chance to go on to higher education, and not need assistance when they have families of their own. This program provides consistency throughout all the schools, and provides more accountability.
I hate the government having to feed people, but it (we) have to feed the children who are innocent of their situation. I think that's better than a patchwork of volunteer groups and churches, although their past participation is certainly applauded.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:02 p.m.
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I don't really understand why the volunteer quoted in the story is upset. He can still volunteer at the school, still help the kids, and the money is going to be spent might as well be spent in Janesville.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:41 p.m.
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And right at Christmas time, we get to watch the cheap, greedy right-wing idealogues that inhabit this blog pile on reasons to take food from the mouths of poor children in their ill-informed crusade to help the "job creators."
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:20 p.m.
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As long as the teachers are given breakfast as well-and maybe a light, healthy snack after school as well.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:03 p.m.
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There's 29 comments on the previous article. Would it kill the gazette to learn how to merge comments when they double up on an article topic?
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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So who pays for the program now?
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:44 p.m.
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This was community taking care of their own which is the best case scenario. Having the Federal government coming in is insultingly paternalistic; it's essentially saying that Janesville is incapable of taking care of itself. Nice.
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
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This article does double duty. It combines two staples of Gazette coverage: welfare recipients and Janesville public schools.
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:29 p.m.
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The gazette puts these article out as bait.
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:25 p.m.
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Holy crap there is so much wrong in this article I don't know where to start.
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