ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lunchtime was over and Laniyah Velez’s hunger was sated.
The youngster is a rising sixth-grader at Trexler Middle School, which is among many Allentown School District free summer meals program sites for mostly underserved students.
Wednesday’s lunch menu, chock full of nutrition and flavor, made Laniyah smile: Italian hoagie, sliced apples, baby carrots with ranch dressing, with milk and/or water to wash it down.
“When we have the Italian sandwich, that’s my favorite,” the nearly-11-year-old said. “It’s soooo good.”
However, what’s not so good and hard to swallow is the looming possibility that school summer programs for children could be severely impacted by proposed federal budget cuts.
“I sure hope that doesn’t happen."Laniyah Velez, rising sixth-grader at Trexler Middle School
Laniyah was asked how a reduction or end of such programs would affect her. She fell silent.
But a voice of worry from an adjoining lunch table broke the silence.
“I sure hope that doesn’t happen,” said the student who overheard the question.
Allentown School District, in partnership with the City of Allentown and other organizations, offers free summer meals and activities for children and teens.
Several locations throughout the city, including libraries, community centers and schools, provide free breakfast and lunch for those 18 and younger, with no registration required.
'The only meals they get all day'
Public school summer lunch programs in the commonwealth are primarily funded through the federal government’s Summer Food Service Program, administered by the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The state Education Department also plays a role in administering the program at the state level.
“We hear from kids who tell us these are the only meals they get all day.”Trexler Middle School staff member
The Trump Administration’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” would, if passed by Congress, negatively affect child nutrition programs, such as the Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals to children during summer months, critics say.
Allentown’s summer meals program got about $340,000 in federal funding last year, according to Allentown Schools Director of Child Nutrition Services Gina Giarratana said.
According to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Allentown has a higher poverty rate than the national average, with more than 21% of the population living below the poverty line.
In the Lehigh Valley, about 12% of children are food insufficient, officials say.
One Trexler Middle School staff member put it succinctly: “We hear from kids who tell us these are the only meals they get all day.”
Worrisome reality: Empty stomachs
The free summer food program in Allentown numbers 32,439 breakfasts, 45,111 lunches and more than 3,600 snacks.
The program began last week for four groups of students. They are summer school, enrichment program and the bridge program (students moving from fifth grade in elementary school to sixth grade.)
Also, extended school year — a special education program for students with disabilities who are at risk of significant regression or who need to maintain critical skills during extended breaks, such as summer.
"Hungry children cannot learn."Gina Giarratana, ASD director of child nutrition services.
The breadth of types of students who rely on the summer free meals program underscores the need for continued funding, officials said.
“The importance of the program is providing meals for those students who need them most,” Giarratana said.
The lunch room at Trexler Middle School was teaming with young minds enjoying free lunch on Wednesday afternoon.
However, should the proposed federal budget cuts for free summer meal programs like the one in Allentown come to pass, the empty seats in the lunchroom will be accompanied by a worrisome reality: Empty stomachs.
“Studies confirm this,” Giarratana said. “Hungry children cannot learn.”
