Past Due Lunch Debts Paid at Four Local Schools
Through the support of hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses, as well as through "spirit nights" at local restaurants, Catch Up on Lunch has raised over $25,000 and paid off the entire past due lunch debt for all students at four schools in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties!
Catch Up On Lunch + Erase Lunch Debt!
By providing an alternative financial resource to address student lunch debt, educating the public on lunch shaming, and creating a dialogue on ways to address food insecurity, Catch Up On Lunch will combat the difficulties that students and their families face as they struggle with inconsistent access to nutritious meals at school.
Your tax-deductible donation will be used to fuel our mission to eliminate lunch debt, and assist students in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties.
What is Lunch Shaming?
According to a recent study by the USDA, nearly half of all school districts nationwide use lunch shaming to compel parents to pay overdue school lunch bills.
Lunch Shaming is a practice in which students who have used up their school meal accounts are denied lunches, served cold, cheap food instead of a hot meal, or are sent home stamped on their hands to remind their parents to settle their balances. In some schools across the country, cafeteria workers have been required to throw out meals ordered by students with balances due.
Lowcountry Schools - By the Numbers
(2018-2019 School Year)
Dorchester County District 2 students have already racked up more than $136,000 in lunch debt. The highest single amount was $289 for one student’s debt account.
In Berkeley County, the debt has ballooned to $302,000—already $70,000 more than last year’s total. Berkeley County School District officials attribute the increase to the unprecedented growth in the district.
Charleston County School District states it currently has $88,000 in school lunch debt.
About Catch Up On Lunch
A nonprofit initiative created by the Lowcountry Blessing Box Project, I Heart Hungry Kids, the Queen Street Hospitality Group, and the Charleston Restaurant Foundation, the mission of Catch Up On Lunch is to raise funds and awareness to benefit students and change the lunch debt system in our community.
