SEATTLE – Fundraising efforts in Seattle, Everett, and Marysville have significantly eased school lunch debts for thousands of kids across the region.Last week, Jeffery Lew, a Seattle parent, created a gofundme account with the goal of raising $21,000 to …
Source: Father’s mission to pay off school lunch debt in Seattle inspires kindness from strangers | KOMO
Here’s where the debt comes from (from the GoFundMe page):
Many children depend on a nutritious lunch to help them through their school day. Per the 2015-16 report by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State, 36% of Seattle Public School District students are on free or reduced-price meals (Report). This is based on parents filling out meal applications. If a child is unable to pay for their meal, a debt has started. Families will receive an invoice from the school district to pay the debt.
Seems that by definition the very people in need of this program are those least able to be able to pay off the debt. I love the idea of independently stepping in and helping out…