Files Legislation to Provide Free Breakfast and Lunch at All Massachusetts Schools

BOSTON – Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico teamed up with Project Bread, a nationally recognized anti-hunger organization, to launch a statewide campaign to pass his Universal School Meals bill, An Act relative to universal school meals. This legislation, sponsored by DiDomenico, would provide free breakfast and lunch to every child in a Massachusetts school. Senator DiDomenico was also joined by Representative Andy Vargas, who sponsors the bill in the House, dozens of elected officials, anti-hunger advocates, educators, and a video message from Congressman Jim McGovern.

Thankfully, schools across the state have been providing Universal School Meals throughout the pandemic because costs and paperwork for this program were temporarily footed by the federal government. In 2022, federal support for the program was cut off, but Senator DiDomenico secured enough funding in last year’s state budget to continue funding free school meals throughout the Commonwealth for the current school year. The Senate and House must pass the Universal School Meal bills (SD1013 and HD766) in order to continue providing free breakfast and lunch at our schools indefinitely.

“We have heard time and again from educators, advocates, and parents, that kids cannot learn when they are hungry,” said Senator DiDomenico, the lead sponsor of the Senate bill and Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “Providing free breakfast and lunch in schools will empower all our students to study, focus, and live up to their full potential. It is past time, in the year 2023, that we finally pass my commonsense bill into law and ensure no child will ever go hungry in a Massachusetts school again.”

This program has been a massive success in Massachusetts over the past two school years. Over 50,000 more students were eating lunch daily when costs were lifted, which allowed them to focus on class and relieved a financial burden from their parents. This is a crucial program especially as costs for housing, transportation, healthcare, and more have been rising. Passing this legislation into law is critical for the well-being of our children and working families throughout the Commonwealth.

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Files Legislation to Fight Against Deep Poverty for Children and Families

BOSTON – Senator Sal DiDomenico with his colleague Representative Marjorie Decker and the Lift Our Kids Coalition have accelerated the timetable for lifting kids out of Deep Poverty by filing Senate and House bills (SD 501, HD 507) at the start of the 2023-2024 legislative session. A campaign launch event was held last week to build support for this legislation and introduce it to members of the Legislature.  The Act to Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty, which Senator DiDomenico has led on for years, would raise the maximum cash assistance grant by 25% a year until it reaches half of the federal poverty level. Families living below half the poverty level are considered to be in Deep Poverty. Under the bill, grants would increase each year and would keep pace with inflation as the poverty level goes up. 

After decades of frozen cash assistance levels, Senator DiDomenico and Representative Decker led the charge in the Legislature to raise grants three times for a total increase of 32% beginning in January 2021. This was a huge step forward for families in our communities and they are looking to continue building on this momentum.

“It is simply unacceptable that we have nearly 70,000 children in the Commonwealth living so far below the federal poverty level,” said Senator DiDomenico, the lead sponsor of the Senate bill and Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “While the recent increases in cash assistance were an important step towards helping our families, I am committed to continuing our work and pushing for further bold action to ensure that no child lives in Deep Poverty, suffering without nutritious food, winter clothing or basic needs such as diapers. We live in one of the wealthiest states in the nation and there is no excuse for children living in poverty.  Now more than ever, we must make this bill one of the highest priorities for the legislative session.”

The Lift Our Kids Coalition (liftourkidsma.org), comprised of 155 organizations, formed in late 2016 to advocate for repeal of the welfare family cap, the law that barred benefits for children conceived while the family received assistance. DiDomenico and Decker led the repeal of the family cap in 2019, and the Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto of repeal by an almost unanimous vote.  

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BOSTON – On January 13th, Senator Sal DiDomenico attended the unveiling of “The Embrace” in Boston Common. Attendees included the family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., elected officials, and leaders from across Massachusetts and the country. This beautiful memorial commemorates the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King, who met and studied here in Boston. The sculpture depicts their embrace after MLK received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

“It was an absolute honor to witness the unveiling of this beautiful and important sculpture,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “Their legacy lives on today and every day because of the sacrifices they made to advance civil rights, combat racism and discrimination, fight for equity, and preach love for each other. I am proud that we have such an important memorial in our community that reminds us of the equitable and inclusive world we must continue to work toward.”

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