Report Inappropriate Comments

It always helps to explore the "why" something wasn't/isn't being done before needlessly bulldozing over the situation. Has anyone in the city asked parents why they are not paying back their children's lunch bills yet? Most of the time its simply miscommunication that's the culprit.

The article suggested perhaps parents cannot afford to pay, for instance. Can't something be done about that? Where I live, we have a free in-house resource/case worker available once a week who we can go to for all sorts of aid programs average people don't even know exist. Could a person from state financial supplement programs be made available at schools or libraries the first two months of each school year for parents to sign up for school lunch help? (For instance, URI has a volunteer program which helps people navigate the SNAP program. They are wonderful!) Maybe one meeting could be held at night, too? Bring the programs to them. Parents are very busy, and most work during the day. You cannot expect them to come to you if they don't know there's a solution. Even a simple informational flyer sent to every child's home would be better than denigrating folks who might be struggling without knowing why the money isn't being paid back. Parents have enough on their plates today without resorting to meanness.

The reason why kids are lining up for a free Sunbutter and jelly sandwich just might be.... because they simply like them! Not because their families cannot afford school lunch. Some of those kids just might be keeping that lunch money, too. Whatever happened to the token system? Parents had to pre-pay for lunch tokens once a month. Always worked when I was in school way back when.