Evening star., 1939-11-24
Free Lunch Program
Extended 10 Needy
In 26 Schools
No Increase in Outlay
In Sponsors Gifts
Expected to Be Needed

Extension of the free lunch pro-
gram to needy pupils of the 26 voca-
tional, junior and colored senior
high schools of the District was ap-
proved today by the Commissioners
in adopting program suggested by
the Board of Education Novem-
Der IS.
The Commissioners acted on rec
ommendation by Robert E. Bondy
welfare director, who had been asked
by the Commissioners to make a
survey and report on the proposal
Mr.. Bondy reported that school
board authorities estimated some
725 pupils are in need of the new
service, including some 200 white
and SIS colored pupils.
Notified by telephone of the action
by the city heads, Assistant Supt. oi
Schools Lawson J. Cantrell sale
school officials would make every
effort to push the project, and pre-
dicted it probably would be in
operation the first of next week.
The white senior high schools are
not included in the plans. it was
stated, because their principals have
indicated the problem is small and
they are handling it in their cafe
ter;as.
No Increase in Outlay.
Mr.. Bondy reported that his con-
ferences with officials of the schools
w. P. A., the director of surplus
commodities distribution in the
District and the District auditor in
dicated the program could be han
died without any increase in the
outlay over the Districts sponsored
contributions now available.
Free school lunches now are
provided needy elementary schoo
pupils through a w. P. A. project
sponsored by the Board of Public
Welfare and the Board of Educa.
ton. Under this project the Dis
trict provides sponsors contribu-
ton of $84,l47 toward total cost
ct S290,635. Mr.. Bondy explained
that since there are no cafeterias
in the elementary schools, the
project is handled through a CEN
tral kitchen, from which food is
distributed to a maximum of 8,4OC
pupils in 80 schools. His report
added:
The vocational, junior and senior
high schools have cafeterias. In
some OF these schools needy pupils
now receive free lunches through
the cafeterias. This arrangement
has imposed a burden on the cafe
terias that they cannot continue tc
carry.
1T is proposed therefore that sur
plus commodities be made available
at the vocational, junior and senior
high schools in an amount sufficient
to care for the needy pupils.
Principals Certify Pupils.
The school principal would de-
termlne which pupils are in need OF
free school lunches, would certify
this number to the Director of Sur.
plus Commodity Distribution of the
District, and would be responsible
Tor the handling. preparation anc
serving OF the food as part of the
cafeteria plan. The Director of Sur.
plus Commodities, on receipt of re.
quest from the principals, would de.
liver directly to the individual
schools.
This proposed program does moi
involve w. P. A. contribution or an,
sponsors contribution, and there.
fore can be handled with the an.
proval of the Commissioners without
additional cost to the District"
Mr.. Bondy explained that thu
program would carry the stipulation
that the additional surplus com.
modities to be provided by the
United States are to be used "onl,
for relief purposes and in such man
ner as to prevent competition with
the same or like commodities in the
normal channels Of trade and com.
merce"