Suffolk Public Schools has earned a state award for efforts to end childhood hunger.

SPS is one of 15 school divisions across Virginia that received the Dorothy S. McAuliffe School Nutrition award presented by No Kid Hungry Virginia.

The award honors school divisions “that have gone above and beyond by operating all available federal child nutrition programs and achieving exceptional participation in the school breakfast program.”

“Virginia has become a national model for ending childhood hunger because of the hard work and innovative approaches of this year’s School Nutrition Award recipients,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s school districts for their ongoing commitment to making sure students can access the meals and other resources they need to succeed.”

To qualify for the award, school divisions, including SPS, had to meet the following criteria:

4School Breakfast: At least 70 percent of students who qualify for free or reduced meals and eat school lunch are also eating school breakfast.

4Afterschool Meals: Division is sponsoring and serving meals and snacks through the At-Risk Afterschool Child and Adult Care Food Program, if eligible.

4Summer Meals: Division is sponsoring and serving summer meals through the Summer Food Service Program or National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, if eligible.