The idea started in Suttons Bay, where a few people paid off their local school’s lunch debt. Some people in Bellaire heard about it and decided to do the same for the students in their schools.
Superintendent of Bellaire Public Schools Mark Brenton says, “Overtime debts can just build up, you forget about it, you don’t think I’ve got to send some money and then the next thing you know you owe $50 to $100; and that can be excessive amount for some families”
In September, three anonymous donors donated $500 each, covering the lunch debt of more than 100 students at Bellaire Public Schools.
Principal of John R Rodger Elementary Kristi Poel says, “It was an amazing feeling because I know a lot of families carry that debt and because we do feed the students anyway, that debt just builds and builds.”
If the student’s parents don’t pay their balance, Brenton says the debt falls on the school. Brenton says the elimination of the debt allows the kids and their families to worry less about how they’re going to pay for their next meal and more on that next big bite.
“To know that’s one less thing folks have to worry about, even if its $25 to $50, that’s money that could go towards Christmas presents, that’s money that could go towards additional food for the holidays,” says Brenton. “This is just one of many examples of community involvement, people coming and saying what we can do to help.”
The donation from those three anonymous donors covered every student’s debt, no matter their situation.
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