MONTGOMERY CO., Va. (WDBJ) – No Kid Hungry Virginia recently issued several grants to school districts around the commonwealth, including one of our local elementary schools.

Montgomery County School District received $40,000 which will to go towards Falling Branch Elementary.

The school hopes to continue providing meals for food-insecure students in the morning called the “Breakfast after the Bell” program.

“Unfortunately, many students in Montgomery County and the New River Valley have food insecurity,” said Dr. Bernard Bragen, the Superintendent of Montgomery County School District. “And you can’t learn if you’re hungry. If you don’t have the proper nutrition, you’re not gonna function well in school . . . Good nutrition shouldn’t be a privilege. We’re trying to get that for everybody,” he added.

School leaders say the money will pay for new ovens which will allow staff to provide more meals for students before the school day.

Dr. Bragen hopes to begin the new initiative as soon as the ovens are added.

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