Originally published on 9/4/2020
Some Alvin ISD students are returning to school debt-free after a gift from a local donor wiped out over $5,000 in unpaid school lunch fees.
The donation from Mr. Greg Jeter with Jeter Funeral Home, Inc., made through the Alvin ISD Lunch Angel’s program, will relieve struggling families and ensure access to regular lunches for hundreds of low-income students.
“A while back, Mr. Jeter reached out wanting to make a donation to help kids with negative balances,” explained Jennifer Basich, Director of Child Nutrition. “After explaining about our Lunch Angel program. Mr. Jeter made the generous donation so that students are able to come back to school without having to worry about that debt.”
Students who have unpaid debt are not denied schools lunches, but in some cases may be offered alternative food options. In nearly all cases, the fees are a burden on families who may already be grappling to make ends meet.
With each lunch costing between $2.25 and $2.75, Mr. Jeter’s $5,000 donation paid for at least 2,000 lunches. The true number is likely much higher, since most children with lunch debt qualify for reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program.
According to Basich, the Lunch Angel Program, accepts private donations for the sole purpose of clearing unpaid student lunch debt, which for the entire district can run between $7,000-$9,000 annually.
Those interested in donating to the Lunch Angels program should contact their local school for more information.