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There are plenty of ways to measure the economy of a particular area, and one of those indicators is in our schools. It can be seen in the number of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program.
Considering the state of the economy in Douglas County, it should come as no surprise that far more students are eligible for the lower-priced lunches than a year ago.
What's shocking are the high numbers being recorded all across the county.
Last year, more than 53 percent of the approximately 15,180 children in Douglas County schools were eligible for discounts or free lunches, according to a June study by the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force.
News-Review reporter DD Bixby checked in with the county's 13 school districts recently and discovered nearly all are seeing increasing numbers of students in the free and reduced-price lunch program.
It's shocking to see eligibility as high as 88 percent at Riddle Elementary School. Not far behind are Glendale Elementary at 80 percent, Rose Elementary in Roseburg at 78 percent, Canyonville Elementary at 77 percent and Brockway Elementary in Winston at 74 percent.
It's not that unusual to see the rural mill towns and Rose Elementary, which takes in a large neighborhood of low-income families, top the list, but it's the jump over last year — often as much as 10 percent — that shows how the county's high unemployment rate has steadily driven families to the poverty level.
Even areas generally considered fairly affluent have seen increases. At Roseburg's Hucrest Elementary, 29 percent qualify this year, up from 25 percent one year ago.
Despite the high numbers school districts are reporting, it's quite possible even more students are eligible for the program but their families don't apply because they don't want to admit they're in need. School officials suspect that's the case because they know many Douglas County families are proud and determined to make it on their own.
Another disturbing trend, however, is the drop-off among students in middle and high schools. In the South Umpqua School District, for example, elementary schools report 60 to 70 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, but the high school has only 50 percent of its students lining up for the meals.
Though information about those who qualify must be kept confidential, there's concern that older students are more self-conscious about accepting the lower-priced meals, therefore, they may discourage their parents from applying for the program, or let the applications disappear into their backpacks.
What families who don't apply may not realize is they are giving up dollars that come from the federal government to pay for the program. Furthermore, other grants targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are often awarded based on the number of students enrolled in the lunch program, so it's helpful for the information to be accurate.
Most important, however, we must recognize this program is keeping many of our county schoolchildren fed, and that's a big advantage, particularly when there's less money at home to buy groceries.
Considering the state of the economy in Douglas County, it should come as no surprise that far more students are eligible for the lower-priced lunches than a year ago.
What's shocking are the high numbers being recorded all across the county.
Last year, more than 53 percent of the approximately 15,180 children in Douglas County schools were eligible for discounts or free lunches, according to a June study by the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force.
News-Review reporter DD Bixby checked in with the county's 13 school districts recently and discovered nearly all are seeing increasing numbers of students in the free and reduced-price lunch program.
It's shocking to see eligibility as high as 88 percent at Riddle Elementary School. Not far behind are Glendale Elementary at 80 percent, Rose Elementary in Roseburg at 78 percent, Canyonville Elementary at 77 percent and Brockway Elementary in Winston at 74 percent.
It's not that unusual to see the rural mill towns and Rose Elementary, which takes in a large neighborhood of low-income families, top the list, but it's the jump over last year — often as much as 10 percent — that shows how the county's high unemployment rate has steadily driven families to the poverty level.
Even areas generally considered fairly affluent have seen increases. At Roseburg's Hucrest Elementary, 29 percent qualify this year, up from 25 percent one year ago.
Despite the high numbers school districts are reporting, it's quite possible even more students are eligible for the program but their families don't apply because they don't want to admit they're in need. School officials suspect that's the case because they know many Douglas County families are proud and determined to make it on their own.
Another disturbing trend, however, is the drop-off among students in middle and high schools. In the South Umpqua School District, for example, elementary schools report 60 to 70 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, but the high school has only 50 percent of its students lining up for the meals.
Though information about those who qualify must be kept confidential, there's concern that older students are more self-conscious about accepting the lower-priced meals, therefore, they may discourage their parents from applying for the program, or let the applications disappear into their backpacks.
What families who don't apply may not realize is they are giving up dollars that come from the federal government to pay for the program. Furthermore, other grants targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are often awarded based on the number of students enrolled in the lunch program, so it's helpful for the information to be accurate.
Most important, however, we must recognize this program is keeping many of our county schoolchildren fed, and that's a big advantage, particularly when there's less money at home to buy groceries.
