I wouldn't want to be a lunchlady today.

Carla

Carla

Senior Member
Location
Pa
Heard something on the news that kind of broke my heart. There is a local school district that had to refuse a child a hot lunch because he owed $25 in lunch money. They said the school district has to collect thousands of dollars from parents owing for unpaid lunches. Sad, isn't it? I have to wonder if it is because they are poor or if the parents are negligent in sending the money--either way, it must be hard turning away a hungry child. I don't remember being able to "charge" a lunch while I was in school. We would have to find someone to borrow it if we forgot or lost it.
 

Carla when I was a kid it was cash on the barrel head too!

I think it is time to rethink some of these old ideas. I think it would actually be cheaper and more efficient to add the cost of school lunches to the school tax bill and stop charging the kids for meals. It would cost the school district less money and remove the stigma that many of the poorer students face when they get a free lunch. No kid should go hungry in America!
 
It's sad that the kids are being punished for the parents bad actions. I had thought there was a basic P&J sandwich given to the kids so no one goes hungary.
 

WheatenLover said:
Remember the news story about the lunch lady who was fired last year for giving a hungry student a meal? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ngry-student-a-free-meal-is-offered-job-back/
Click to expand...

That has to be tough. I know it's a business, but I am sure there has to be some kids that fall through the cracks. Not poor enough on paper so unable to qualify for assistance. You wonder why the parents don't at least make sure they take a sandwich or something. Our kids are paying over $3 a lunch. Just say you have two kids-that would be $30 wk. it can really add up if you have more than two!
 
Oh &*(% that...your parents owe and I will fix this register to feed you...maybe you don't have to even include it...know what I'm sayin'?
 
Sadly, not all parents have the funds to pay for school lunches. It is not automatically negligence on their part. Poverty exists. Sometimes the cupboard is bare, and even peanut butter runs out before the next influx of money.
 
In our county all children preschool and up to middle school receives free breakfast and lunches. They have done this the last few years. I am not positive but I believe in the last year or two they now include the high schools.
 
Aunt Bea, I agree with you. With the school taxes that most people have to pay, I would think they could figure in lunches for every child! How can a child learn if they are hungry?
 
Only this year have I realized how crazy it can get. My son turned 21. He still lives here with no prospects of being independent soon. But at 21 he is not considered part of our family by Medicaid guidelines. Me and hubby combined make maybe a good $40 over the poverty limit. No Medicaid, no food stamps, and my daughter is eligible for reduced price but not free. $40...really?!!!
 

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