Missouri woman raises $6,000 to pay off students’ school lunch debt

A woman in Missouri raised about $6,000 to help pay off local students’ school lunch debts.

Molly McKinney started a Facebook Page connected to a PayPal account to help pay off the debts after learning that students at an elementary school owed hundreds of dollars, the Springfield News-Leader reported Monday.

She told the newspaper she wanted to make sure students had the chance to receive hot meals.

“There are consequences for having the lunch bill, and the kids pay for it, even though it has nothing to do with them,” she said.

According to the News-Leader, students with delinquent balances were possibly prevented from getting extra items or a hot meal.

The newspaper reported that local businesses also contributed to the fundraising effort. 

School districts across the country have recently faced scrutiny for policies punishing students who cannot pay for their lunches. 

In the 2017-2018 school year, student meal debt was more than $10.9 million across the country, the News-Leader reported, citing the national School Nutrition Association.