NYC Meals Program Features Sweepstakes to Hawaii

For the sixth year in a row, the Jets are donating a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, as a part of a Department of Education sweepstakes to get more parents to fill out their applications for discounted or free school lunches online.

It’s not that the DOE is trying to encourage more people to apply; It’s a way to make applying easier and more efficient for parents.

Access NYC simplifies the application process by permitting parents to apply for all of their children with one application, even if they attend different schools. The website can also be used to pre-screen for human services benefits offered by more than 35 different City, State and Federal programs.

Completion of the simple application, online or on paper, will automatically enter a family in the sweepstakes. The winning family receives a NY Jets-sponsored trip to the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii in 2012.

New York City public school families must submit a completed 2011-2012 application for free and reduced-price meals to their school or online by Friday, October 21, 2011, to be entered to win a trip to Hawaii.

What you will need to provide during the application process:

• The names and incomes of every member of your household
• The school, grade, birthdate of every student in your household. (Optional)
• The last 4 digit of your social security number and electronic signature
• A valid email address or phone number for the Office of School Food to communication about the status of the application. (Optional)

The entire process should take 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the household and the information required. In most situations, the application will be processed within 10 working days.

Additionally, by submitting online, the approval time is shortened in comparison to paper application submissions. So online users can expect a quicker approval date.