The U.S. Congress passed the “Keep Kids Fed Act,” which returns the school lunch program to an income-based system. The act passed just days before the universal free lunch program was scheduled to end June 30.

VanLear was shocked and panicked to hear the news.

“Crap, I got to reach out [and] figure out the budget,” she said.

Who qualifies?

Penny VanLear works two jobs. One at H&R Block where she’s been for 12 years. The other at the City of Lincoln’s Treasury office.

VanLear said they didn’t have to worry about paying for lunches before the pandemic.

“We were still qualifying for free at that point, with the four kids,” VanLear said.

Adam, 19, has since graduated and goes to Southeast Community College in Lincoln.

Now with three dependents instead of four, VanLear is put into a different income bracket. She fears her three kids won’t qualify for free lunches.