It's come to a sad situation when unfortunate schoolchildren are denied a hot, nourishing meal, probably (as said above) the only one in 24hrs. Of all the things to make cuts on, this is way beyond the realms of the acceptable.
I knew my pupils well when I was teaching, and those on free dinners really did need them.
It's no good accusing their parents of fecklessness. It's the children themselves that matter here.