https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB38 Violates Constitution as aimed at minorities, also singling them out for being "mental" which can be a source of bullying. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB96 Waste, fraud and abuse program. No affordability in where people who are working 2 jobs to pay for their kids, should have to pay for others who make more than they do. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB178 This should not be used to buy votes. That's exactly what it is.

Would you send a police officer back into the field while under investigation for abuse? A prison guard? To send a potential abuser back into the school the complaint came from ensures NO CHILD AND NO TEACHER will ever report again! Is that your purpose? As a survivor of child sex abuse - you do NOT protect the feelings of the adult over the trauma of the young. YOU WILL CREATE LIFELONG TRAUMA Why do some teachers and school staff molest, abuse, and rape children? There are a myriad of answers based on motivation, opportunity, and “illness”, but the bottom line is molesters abuse children because they can. Because they think it’s okay. Because they know they can get away with it. Because some communities accept child molestation as a norm and other communities hide their head in the sand. Because people turn a blind eye to childhood sexual abuse with victim-shaming comments like “it happens,” or “I don’t believe it,” or “who waits that long then comes after a good teacher”. Because, on some level, child abusers don’t believe child abuse is wrong and their enablers don’t believe it’s such a big deal. Good and decent people have become an Army of Enablers, not because they are evil but because without all of the facts or any facts, in most cases, for a prolonged period of time a societal group think resulting in a premeditated ignorance and becomes “normal”. It is a deliberate unawareness. Sadly they do not know, because they do not want to know. In knowing good people would have to take responsibility for that knowledge and at the very least leave their comfort zone and do something. Who are we if we ignore children being raped, molested and beaten in the very institutions we have been commanded to hand our children to for the majority of their young lives because “ they know what’s best” ? We become the enablers. We become the complicity of silence. So it is up to us to proclaim ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! It is obvious that it is up to us. One important part of the solution is to build a community that fights back against the norm we no longer accept as true. Instead of shaming victims, the communities we envision shame perpetrators. Instead of ignoring the signs of abuse, the communities we envision educate one another and put safe guards in place that make it more difficult for perpetrators to access children. Instead of throwing up our hands and saying there’s nothing we can do, the communities we envision aggressively pursue legal recourse whenever possible. We must understand that child abuse is committed by a single person but enabled by the village, so it takes a village-of-a-different-kind to turn the tide of decades of ignorance leading to this childhood exploitation. We can do this only if we join forces with others who say, “this is enough,” only if we demand consequences for abusers that are more painful than permission to abuse is gratifying. Only then will we begin to stem the tide of this epidemic that sucks the soul out of those of us who are victims. Building a firewall means acknowledging that abuse happens and putting in place the eyes, ears, awareness, and commitment to make sure it never happens on our watch

As a school Food service manager, I see first hand how providing meals in schools helps our student grow and learn. Free breakfast for all students should be something that we provide for all students every day. The benefits include better behavior, easier to focus and learn, improved health and growth of each child. This is an investment in our future that gives us tremendous returns on the investment.

I encourage your support of this bill to provide breakfast to all students, I work in school nutrition and I am also a parent of 4 students in school. Breakfast is essential and taking down the barrier of cost for all students would help many get that fuel for the day.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB38 Violates Constitution as aimed at minorities, also singling them out for being "mental" which can be a source of bullying. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB96 Waste, fraud and abuse program. No affordability in where people who are working 2 jobs to pay for their kids, should have to pay for others who make more than they do. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB178 This should not be used to buy votes. That's exactly what it is.

I’m writing as a school nutrition professional, mother, and Virginia Beach resident to urge your support for HB96. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

I’m writing as a school nutrition professional, mother, and Virginia Beach resident to urge your support for SB4. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. SB4 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be made available and free for every student. This would allow young people, whether they are facing challenges at home or not, to start the day off not feeling hungry. Also those that are facing food insecurity would be able to concentrate on learning and not where their next meal is coming from. Children shouldn't have to worry about food. They should only have to worry about being kids, having fun, learning, growing, and being the best they can be.

My names is Larry Wade, Sr. and I serve as Director of Schools Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, in Chesapeake, Virginia. I’m writing as a school nutrition professional to urge your support for HB96. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. In Chesapeake, we’ve seen an increase in our average daily participation for breakfast jump from 8,800 per day prior to COVID  to a daily average of more than 12,000 breakfast meals per day in December 2025.  That’s an increase in breakfast participation of more than 36%.  While our breakfast participation has improved, I believe there are so many more students in my district and around the Commonwealth who would benefit from school breakfast at no cost. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

My names is Larry Wade, Sr. and I serve as Director of Schools Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, in Chesapeake, Virginia. I’m writing as a school nutrition professional to urge your support for SB4. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. In Chesapeake, we’ve seen an increase in our average daily participation for breakfast jump from 8,800 per day prior to COVID  to a daily average of more than 12,000 breakfast meals per day in December 2025.  That’s an increase in breakfast participation of more than 36%.  While our breakfast participation has improved, I believe there are so many more students in my district and around the Commonwealth who would benefit from school breakfast at no cost. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

Good morning members of the House Education and K-12 Subcommittee, Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth. I hope that the session is off to a good start for each of you. I am writing as the Public Policy and Legislative Chair for the School Nutrition Association of Virginia to share our strong support for Delegate Bennett-Parker's "School Breakfast for All" bill (HB96). The School Nutrition Association of Virginia supports fully funded free meals for all students. We believe that access to no cost school meals is essential for student success. Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation. Sincerely, Andrea Early, MS, RDN

I believe that the first meal of the day is the most important meal of the day. All students should have access to a healthy breakfast at no cost. The students learn better when they are not hungry. Also there are a lot of parents who can not afford to pay for the meal.

I write in support of HB 96, School Breakfast for All. We know that children learn better when they are not hungry. Given the Federal cuts backs to SNAP and the ever present fear of ICE particularly in our low income communities, which may be more likely to be minorities in some communities, providing children with breakfast is critical. The fear of ICE has also led fewer families to apply for school meals in those non-CEP schools. Please support this important legislation. Thank you.

Hello, My name is Jennifer Williams. I am the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Rockingham County Public Schools with degrees in Dietetics and Public Health, as well as a parent of children attending public schools. I am writing to voice my support for HB96 and to urge passage of this much needed legislation. I support this legislation because: 1 - It supports Virginia students: Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Additionally, universal free breakfast eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. 2 - It supports Virginia families: Whether you are a family struggling to make ends meet or your son accidentally left his breakfast on the kitchen table because he was thinking about his test in second period, having universal free breakfast available at school is a relief for families, knowing their child will not go hungry during the school day and/or knowing their child is receiving a nutritious meal that they might not be able to provide at home. 3 - It supports Virginia school staff: Teachers and school administrators have enough on their plates in today's classrooms. When universal free breakfast is not available, like in Rockingham County, teachers and school administrators are involved in helping school nutrition departments with free and reduced meal application communication with families, daily breakfast and lunch money collection, following up with parents on delinquent payments, as well as worrying about students who they know are suffering from hunger. Universal free breakfast reduces all these administrative burdens listed above, giving back time to teachers to teach, and allowing school nutrition staff to focus on what they do best - feeding and nourishing our Virginia students. Thank you for considering this important legislation. Jennifer Williams, MPH, RD Director of Food and Nutrition Services Rockingham County Public Schools 1210 North Liberty Street Harrisonburg, VA 22802 540-434-7783

I support this bill. Having a son who does not qualify for free lunch but nieces, nephews and cousins who do. Being the kid who did quality, I see it in many aspects. Families that already struggle have to chase paperwork down to prove they qualify. Everyone knows the kids who get these lunches are less fortunate and that can affect a kid's mental health as well as their self image and even how others treat or perceive them. If it was made across the board it would alleviate some stress that kids shouldn’t have.

I support this bill because every child should not have to worry about their next meal. They should be able to focus more easily on their education because not every family may be able to afford food.

I agree with this.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB38 Violates Constitution as aimed at minorities, also singling them out for being "mental" which can be a source of bullying. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB96 Waste, fraud and abuse program. No affordability in where people who are working 2 jobs to pay for their kids, should have to pay for others who make more than they do. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB178 This should not be used to buy votes. That's exactly what it is.

Greetings, My name is Chlo'e Edwards, and I am the Policy Director at New Virginia Majority. We support the requirement that school divisions annually report school meal debt. Transparent reporting is a critical step toward understanding and addressing food insecurity among Virginia’s students and families. School meal debt is not the result of individual failure but a symptom of systemic gaps in wages, housing affordability, healthcare access, and public benefits. When families are forced to choose between rent, utilities, and food, children should not bear the consequences in the classroom. Requiring annual reporting helps ensure that these realities are visible rather than hidden. Sincerely, Chlo'e Edwards Policy Director New Virginia Majority