That is 38.4 percent of the district's total enrollment of 138.
Under guidelines established by the National School Lunch Program, children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free lunch and children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price lunch.
In 2017-2018, 98 students qualified for free or reduced lunches in the district, 45.9 percent more than 2018-2019 data.
The Department of Education said 44 students in Alden Community School District qualified for free lunches, and another nine for reduced lunches in 2018-2019.