DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – North Daviess Elementary principal, Renee Judy, says every year a handful of her students and families do struggle to pay for lunch.
“Every year we get anywhere from about eight to twelve families that do get behind from time to time for whatever reason,” Judy said.
Judy says her school does not deny lunch because of financial reasons but she has seen the impact that lunch debts can have on students.
“That’s on their minds when they’re here at school as well, they know what’s going on home,” Judy said.
To help take some of this burden off of students and their families, in may of this year, North Daviess Community Schools received a $650 check from an organization called Grocery Getter Nation.
The president of this organization, Kyla Quick, says their goal is to not only help with lunch debt but also serve as a way to inform people about this issue.
“I don’t think people realize that there is such a need and whenever we tell our story it brings awareness to the situation,” Quick said.
The organization that began in October of 2018 is able to pay off lunch debts through donations from the community and local businesses.
Quick says she hopes the impact of Grocery Getter Nation goes beyond the student.
“I think it’s more than just helping the kids, we’re helping the schools, we’re helping the children, but we’re also taking out some of that stress in the family and that helps everyone involved,” Quick said.
Judy says she thinks that organizations like Grocery Getter Nation will be a relief to families.
“To know that, I can get my kid a healthy lunch, it’s paid for, that’s one less struggle they have to worry about,” Judy said.
Quick says although they rely primarily on donations at this time, Grocery Getter Nation does plan to apply for grants in the future.
Grocery Getter Nation picks schools for assistance depending on funding provided for the school and the school’s administration must consider the lunch debt un-payable by the family.
Quick is also hopeful that the organization can begin to help more schools.
To find out more about the organization and how you can help:
https://www.facebook.com/grocerygetternation/
