In the wealthiest nation on Earth, 1 in 5 children doesn't know where their next meal is coming from. This isn't just a statistic—it's a crisis we can solve together.
Every Monday morning, school nutrition staff see the same thing: students eagerly lining up for breakfast after a weekend without enough to eat. These aren't isolated incidents—they're symptoms of a national crisis.
For many students, school meals are their main source of nutrition. When school closes for weekends or summer break, that safety net disappears. Summer hunger spikes dramatically—only 30 out of every 100 students who need meals actually receive them when school is out.
Perhaps most troubling is the "gap group"—families earning just above the cutoff for free meals but still struggling to afford lunch. These children come to school without lunch money yet don't qualify for assistance, accumulating debt or going hungry.
"I was singled out in the lunch line in elementary school because I had no lunch money. The cafeteria manager publicly demanded to know why I couldn't pay before ultimately letting me eat. It was humiliating—an experience that stayed with me for years."
"87% of school districts reported an increase in students who couldn't afford to buy meals. We're seeing more kids accumulating debt, more families struggling, and more need than ever before."
"Students with unpaid lunch balances were barred from attending the school dance. The community had to fundraise over $4,000 to cover the debt just so kids could participate in a normal school activity."
Eight states have already implemented free meals for all students. Schools with universal meal programs saw 87% increase in participation and eliminated the stigma of "free lunch kids."
The new federal Summer EBT program provides $40 per child per month during summer break, helping families buy groceries when school meals aren't available.
The School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act would wipe out $262 million in existing debt nationwide. As Senator Fetterman said: "School lunch debt is a term so absurd that it shouldn't even exist."
The USDA is proposing to lower the threshold from 40% to 25% low-income students, allowing thousands more schools to offer free meals to everyone automatically.
The data is clear. The solutions exist. What's missing is a dedicated organization to coordinate efforts, advocate for policy change, support local initiatives, and ensure no child goes hungry at school.
Is your organization ready to lead this fight?
Learn About Our Support Start the ConversationStarting a foundation shouldn't mean struggling with website setup and digital infrastructure. I can help you establish a professional online presence so you can focus on the mission.
You bring the passion and expertise. I'll help you build the digital foundation to support your work.