Rep. Suzanne Bonamici introduced legislation on July 30 that will provide free meals to all students during the 2020-21 school year.

The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act is another response from Congress to help alleviate pressure on families severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. If passed, the bill will supply nationwide access to free breakfast, lunch and after-school snack programs for any youth attending public schools.

According to the Brookings Institute, 35% of households with children under the age of 18 experienced food insecurity in April. The pandemic is expected to further exacerbate the child hunger crisis.

In May, the average school district lost $200,000, according to program directors familiar with the situation. Bonamici's legislation could save school meal programs from insolvency.

"Nutritious meals help students stay healthy while they learn and grow," she said. "For many children, school meals provided their primary source of nutrition before the pandemic, and now even more families struggle to put food on their tables because of unemployment and unexpected financial distress."

The proposal eliminates the application process and saves families and school officials from time-consuming paperwork, Bonamici said. Under the act, school districts nationwide can supply children with free meals without having to verify the eligibility of each student.

"The challenge of determining and documenting which students are newly eligible for reduced-price and free school meals during the pandemic will present yet another barrier for children, parents, and school administrators," said Rep. Robert Scott, chairman of the House Committee and Education and Labor.

The bill is co-sponsored by a dozen congressional members and endorsed by numerous nonprofits and organizations.