White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney is raising some eyebrows after essentially telling reporters today that free lunch at school doesn't really help kids.
Mulvaney said:
"Let's talk about after school programs generally... they're supposed to help kids who don't get fed at home get fed so they do better in school. Guess what? There's no demonstrable evidence they're actually doing that... no demonstrable evidence that they are actually helping results, helping kids do better in school."
My friend Meredith Piscitelli commented “this is tearing my heart out. They are not ‘supposed to help kids who don't get fed at home.’ What a twisted mind. School breakfasts and lunches do that and a snack after school is good because many may go home to no food 'til the next day. After school, programs keep children off the streets and away from dysfunctional home situations where drugs and drinking are occurring and they may be the brunt of any anger, or the programs stave off the reality of being homeless. This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as what programs at schools do to aid the children. Is it fair that they must suffer for the transgressions of the adults they are surrounded by once off school-grounds?
“Actually, I lived it, as a member first and then President, of the Brockton Massachusetts chapter of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I have seen it up-close and personally. My children saw some of it, also. They needed to know how fortunate their lives were. I am so sad to see cuts like this. It truly tears my heart to pieces.”
By Joan McCarter
