Student pays off lunch debt, fundraises to eliminate debt at other Missouri schools

[Jilly_in_VA]

DeJuan Strickland, 14, remembered what it was like to be hungry as a fourth grader at Missouri’s McCurdy Elementary, and not knowing how he would eat lunch that day. That feeling made Strickland determined to make sure no one at his former school would feel that way.

Strickland helped pay off his former elementary school’s unpaid student lunch debt this year after posting a GoFundMe fundraiser online with the original goal of raising $200. “This is important to me because sometimes the only nutritious meal for kids is at school,” Strickland wrote in the fundraiser's description.

That goal was doubled with Strickland raising $400 for McCurdy Elementary. The school’s website features a photo of Strickland delivering the check and credits him with the $400 donation.

“They told me stories about how kids, there was a kid who didn't have enough money to pay for school lunch or pay for the pizza, and they were able to pull it from the fund and they're able to have pizza at school that day. It was amazing, and I'm really happy,” said Strickland.

From there, Strickland set his sights higher. He decided to angle the initiative to eliminate school lunch debts in all of the Hazelwood School District, which includes 19 elementary schools, six middle schools, three high schools, and other educational programs.


https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/14-year-pays-off-lunch-debt-former-school/story?id=102143179

There shouldn't BE any such thing as "student lunch debt"! School lunches should be FREE for all kids!

[deRien]

1. Years ago I worked

as a school playground supervisor. There was a young boy (4th grader so about 10). I noticed he looked very sad and I asked him what was wrong. His mom was supposed to bring him his lunch but she hadn't. I was able to get a peanut butter sandwich and an apple from the kitchen for him. I have never seen a child eat so quickly. It broke my heart to watch him. Back then, I'm sure that there was a limit to how much "debt" was allowed and he had probably reached it. I totally agree that lunches (and breakfast) should be free to students.

[Johnny2X2X]

2. Feed children

Nothing controversial about it, we pay for public schools, those schools should ensure the children in them are fed so they can learn.

Here in Michigan, we just passed free breakfast and lunch for all public schools K-12.

I don't think pewople realize how big a problem it is. HAve family who are teachers, and it doesn't matter the school district, there are kids going hungry for school. Feeding them healthy and nutritious meals will help school performaqnce and help prepare kids better.

[LastDemocratInSC]

5. There were several occasions when my grandchildren were young

when I would go to the lunchroom in the morning to put money on their accounts and see a child turned away from breakfast. It was a heart breaking experience, especially if it was a child with a younger sibling. I learned to always have enough cash to speak to the child and slip him/her enough for several days of meals. It was a delight to see their bright eyes sparkle as they recycled back into the line.

[Desert grandma]

3. Our state, New Mexico, began free lunches for all students.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham started an initiative this year that will provide free lunches to all students in pre-K through high school beginning this school year. In addition, it includes a directive that as much of the food as possible is to be sourced from local farmers. The emphasis is to provide fresh and nutritious food to the kids. Every state should do this imo.

[chowder66]

4. Cheers for DeJuan Strickland!

What a thoughtful young man.