Some accounts owe $10 while the highest owes $800.
Frederick, MD – School lunch debt is a national concern with state legislators seeking solutions, but a local Frederick club is working to fix the issue even if they don’t receive government help.
The Frederick County Conservative Club is calling on the community to donate whatever they can to reduce the outstanding lunch debt in Frederick County Public Schools.
Vice President of the FCCC Jennifer Baker said the issue is bipartisan and is solely focused on making sure no child goes hungry.
“Republican, democrat, friend, foe. Bipartisan all the way,” Baker said. “Let’s work together and see if we can’t cancel the student debt for school lunches.”
Baker said as of October 25, the outstanding lunch debt is $8,355 between 67 FCPS schools.
“Across the county that’s a pretty large amount,” Baker said.
According to the School Nutrition Association, 75% of school districts across the country report student meal debt.
Treasurer of the FCCC Seth Eisenberg started the project to pay the debt and said no child should be going hungry.
“I don’t think any parent or child should stress about a school lunch,” Eisenberg said. “I want to erase the school lunch debt in Frederick County by the end of the year.”
Eisenberg said he’s been recording donations and has reported on his social media page that several school lunch debts have been paid off so far, but there is still more work to be done.
“I just want to do what’s right,” he said.
More information on the project can be found at https://www.facebook.com/CitizensforSethEisenberg
By Timothy Young