COLUMBIANA, Ohio - Columbiana Exempted Village Schools are warning parents that next school year their child may no longer qualify for free meals. And they are not the only district facing the change.

For the past two years, a federal waiver has given children breakfast and lunch year-round, regardless of income. But, that waiver is set to expire June 30th, meaning if a family does not qualify for free or reduced meals, they will have to pay.

"Parents, I feel, will not be able to have the money for their child's lunches," said Columbiana Schools Food Service Director Tina Minamyer. "The cost of everything is going up."

Minamyer says that while the price of meals at the district will not increase, she worries that families will feel the financial strain as prices on everything from groceries to gas goes up.

"A lot of these students, this is the only meals that they get," said Minamyer. "If we go back to having to pay, they're never going to get any food."

The federal waiver was put in place to ease the burden during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

In April 21 News reported, several Valley schools were pushing congress to make a move and extend the waiver. So far, the waiver has not been extended into the 22-23' school year.

In the meantime, Second Harvest Food Bank said they will step in to fill the gap as much as they can by filling pantries in schools.

Families can also review the qualifications for free and reduced meals in the 22-23 school year, here.