ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Cafeteria workers hear it all. 

For 25 years, Lisa Varley has kept generations of Spencerport students fed. 

“I like the idea of feeding kids, that’s what I do as a mom," said Varley. "You come to my house and I feed you. This here is my house and I’m going to feed you."

On average, 2,000 lunches are served each day in the Spencerport Central School District. Varley herself serves around 300 kids just in the elementary school. 

It's a number she says has increased since the start of making all school meals free for all students in the district. 

“I think the economy has something to do with it," Varley said. "It’s nice to know you don’t need to worry about breakfast or lunch."

According to the Food Research and Action Center, more than 40,000 schools in New York state participate in the community eligibility provision or CEP. This includes Spencerport and Geneva City Schools. 

Donna Henninger has worked in the North Street Elementary School for four years, serving around 200 kids a day their lunch. 

She’s already making a big impact on the elementary school students she serves. 

“The kids ... they never cease to amaze you," said Henninger. “They come out with the darndest things. This year on my birthday the whole class actually came in and sang me happy birthday."

A new proposal from Gov. Kathy Hochul would give all students free school meals, regardless of if their school is eligible for CEP. Funding would come from the state budget and it’s a measure that has bipartisan support. 

If approved, it would feed more than 2.7 million students and save families an estimated $165 on groceries per child each month.