Growing up, many kids, including myself, relied on school meals. When school was closed, especially on snow days, some of us still went to grab food. While not every child depends on school for meals, many do, and it’s a tough topic for families to discuss.
In D.C., the mix of snow days and food security is a serious issue. When schools close due to bad weather, many low-income families struggle. Current policies often make kids travel in unsafe conditions. A safer option would be switching to virtual learning on those days. It would keep kids safe, boost attendance, and avoid rescheduling classes later. But a key question remains: how can children get food if schools are closed?
Take Chris Sams, a mother of two. She’s frustrated by the challenges of getting her kids to school when there’s a delay. “The food isn’t great, but it helps those who are hungry. If D.C. knows schools will be closed, maybe they should find ways to get food to kids at home,” she says.
The Mayor has to consider temperature, road safety, and public transit when deciding to close schools, and they inform parents through emails and texts. But absences skyrocket during these months. According to a DC Policy Center report, 16.3% of students were absent in December post-pandemic, compared to 10.5% before. Black students and those with disabilities showed similar trends, indicating that structural barriers can affect attendance year-round.
Nearly half of D.C. students—49%—are considered economically disadvantaged, often relying on schools for meals and social interaction. It’s hard to learn when you’re hungry.
Sieeda Jones, a therapist and mother of three, voiced her concerns about snowstorm responses. “It was scary to send kids back during that weather,” she said. Although kids often complain about the food, she notes, “If you’re hungry, you’ll eat anything.”
Jones suggests that the school system could adapt the summer meal assistance program, which provides students with EBT cards during breaks, to help families on snow days as well. This would ensure consistent access to food, even when schools are closed.
As a community, we need to tackle how school closures affect children reliant on these meals. With rising food costs, school closures only make things harder for struggling families. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their children safe at home or risking their kids missing meals. It’s time for D.C. to update policies on weather closures and nutrition to better support families.
This article originally appeared in Street Sense’s March 11, 2026 edition.
