Lunch For Learning

United Way to Support School Nutrition Needs Community Challenge to Raise Funds for School Lunches

The Heart of Missouri United Way and Columbia Public Schools are pleased to announce the launch of the United Way Lunch for Learning program. The program is designed to raise funds to cover costs for students who may need extra assistance in paying for lunch at school,but do not qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.
Currently 6,816 or 38.9 percent of Columbia Public Schools students qualify for free or reducedprice lunch. As of April 2011, Columbia Public Schools’ Nutrition Services Department noted $1,416 in outstanding charges for lunch. The school district has also provided 23,240 alternate meals for students who cannot pay for their meals. This has had an impact on the department’s budget of $38,000 annually. Each meal costs approximately $1.65.
“Nutrition is an important component of educational success and providing some assistance for those families in need is critical for our students,” Superintendent Chris Belcher said. “The nutrition services staff in our buildings noticed a growing problem with delinquent accounts and immediately brought it to our attention. We are so glad to be moving forward with a solution to help our students in need.”
The Heart of Missouri United Way stepped in to help develop a solution to the problem by providing a $5,000 grant to start the lunch money fund. An anonymous donor (who is a United Way Board Member) has pledged a “dollar for dollar” match up to an additional $5,000 if Columbia citizens will contribute to the fund over the next two weeks.
While the school district does provide notices and contacts families with delinquent accounts, this will help those families that are still unable afford the meals. School building principals will refer children in need of assistance from the fund to the school district’s Nutrition Services Department after all other avenues have been exhausted.
“There is no greater need or greater responsibility than that of feeding our own hungry school children,” said Tim Rich, Heart of Missouri United Way Executive Director. “Heart of Missouri United Way is proud to partner with the Columbia Public Schools to make a real and lasting community impact with our resources.”
United Way supporters may donate to the United Way United Way Lunch for Learning by clicking here or by texting “MOIMPACT” to 864833 by cell phone (a $10 donation will be added to their wireless service bill). Community members can also visit the school district’s Nutrition Services Web site at http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/depts/nutrsvcs.php and make a secure online donation. Donations will also be accepted in person at the Nutrition Services Department Office located at 1818 W. Worley.