NILES, Ohio - The Niles City School District has announced that all students in grades preschool through 12th will be able to receive free breakfast and lunch meals throughout the 2024-25 school year.

The initiative is set to begin the first day of the school year for Niles, set for Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Niles adds its name to a growing list of schools across the Valley now offering free meals to students thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the CEP helps schools and districts in high-poverty communities meet eligibility to serve nutritious breakfasts and lunches to students at no cost to families.

According to a press release, the move by Niles Schools ensures that every student can receive breakfast and lunch daily in hopes of "supporting their academic success and overall well-being."

"The opportunity to provide free meals to all Niles City Schools students is an important step toward developing a healthy learning environment," says Ann Marie Thigpen, Superintendent of Niles City Schools. "This program is a vital component of our commitment to our students and their families."

The press release states that while students in both Niles Primary and Niles Intermediate were already receive free meals at school, the new initiative was able to expand the free meals to all Niles Middle School and Niles McKinley High School students because of the CEP.

For additional information about the CEP, please contact Food Service Director Scott Danchise at 330-989-5095 ext. 4017 or email him at nutrition@nilesmckinley.org.