As families prepare for the 2026–27 school year, Pender County Schools is reminding families at four schools to submit a new application for free or reduced-price meals.
The annual application requirement applies to students attending the following schools, which do not participate in the Community Eligibility Provision:
Surf City Middle School
Topsail Annandale Elementary School
Topsail Middle School
Topsail High School
A new application is required each school year, even if a student received free or reduced-price meals during the previous year. Prior-year eligibility continues only during a short carryover period at the beginning of the school year and does not renew automatically.
Families are encouraged to apply now to help prevent an interruption in benefits. Once the carryover period ends, students without an approved 2026–27 application will be charged the full price for meals.
How to Apply
Families may:
Pick up and complete a paper application at their child’s school; or
Apply online at
.
Only one application is needed per household. Families should include all household members and students as directed on the application.
Students attending schools that participate in the Community Eligibility Provision automatically receive a standard breakfast and lunch at no cost and do not need an application for those meals. À la carte items and additional purchases are not included.
Families may also use LINQ Connect to add money to a student’s meal account and monitor the account balance. A $25 fee will be assessed for any payment returned because of insufficient funds.
Applications may be submitted at any point during the school year, particularly if a household’s income or circumstances change.
For assistance, contact your child’s school or the Pender County Schools Child Nutrition Department at 910-259-2187.