SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools will continue providing free breakfast and lunch to students despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. District officials emphasized that schools remain an essential community hub and want families to know that will continue.

4 News Now reached out to Spokane Public Schools for comment. While the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program is partially funded by the federal government, district leaders said they do not expect any immediate impact on nutrition services.

According to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), child nutrition reimbursement funds are considered “appropriated entitlements,” meaning schools are legally entitled to reimbursement for meals served during a shutdown. However, OSPI noted

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