ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) — 30% of students in the Ithaca City School district qualify for free or reduced lunch and reports show this is a problem throughout the Southern Tier. Lawmakers plan on helping children get equal access to a meal.

The pandemic created even more food scarcity for children throughout New York State and officials are trying to give kids equal access to a meal, regardless of the time of year, or their family's household income.

"We need to pass this bill so that children can focus on school and growing and playing, instead of their stomach or preventing themselves for showing that they're hungry," said Dr. Anna Kelles, New York State Assemblywoman 125th District.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says the pandemic created even more food insecurity.

"It exacerbated an already existing problem because so many families lost their employment which just means they had less resources to feed their families," Gillibrand said.

Lawmakers say it could take some time before families who are struggling to put food on the table can get back on their feet.

"We still haven't recovered from the pandemic, there's still a lot of families that one or both parents aren't working because of industries that have been closed. Our job is to get those industries back up and running. We want to make sure our schools stay open."

School ends in a few days and the senator is pushing to have a program set up to help families with breakfast, lunch and dinner during the summer.

"Particularly if we have access to camps and other events for children so they have places to convene, but if they don't also, making backpack programs. The kids can come up and bring a backpack home each week. That helps as well," Gillibrand said.

The Universal Meals Program Act of 2021 would also eliminate school meal debt, something that prevents some children from getting access to food at school.

"We are literally causing inequity, causing inequity in educational attainment," Kelles said.

Senator Gillibrand's bill aims to close nutritional deficits in lower-income households.

"Unfortunately, the least expensive food that is available tends to be the least nutritious. It's high in salt, high in fat and high in sugar. We talked to the kids about the importance of fruits and vegetables, but sometimes they're more expensive," Gillibrand said.

If passed, the bill would provide more farm-to-table foods for kids at Fall Creek Elementary School and other schools throughout the state.