topic Re: School Lunches in Community Chat

School Lunches

Kachina624 — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 05:37:27 GMT

There seems to be a mighty compulsion nowdays to provide each child enrolled in public school with a so-called "hot lunch". I don't quite understand the need for this. It's the content, not the temperature that provides nutrition.

My parents were quite frugal and only on rare special occasions did I get to buy my lunch. Mother made my lunch daily which consisted of a sandwich, carrot sticks and a piece of fruit and maybe a cookie. I bought milk. I grew up strong and healthy without any complexes from eating a home-made lunch. The parents were able to put two kids through college so the sacrifice seems worthwhile.

So why can't parents do this nowdays and why is it so important that taxpayers feed every child? What's the purpose of Food Stamps if not to feed these kids? Why can't parents take the responsibility of feeding their own kids?

Just wondering because it seems to be a big deal....

Re: School Lunches

novamc1 — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:22:01 GMT

@Kachina624

Since moving down South from a relatively affluent area, I've become sensitive to the needs of hungry children during times when schools are closed--such as summer and now that all schools are closed due to the virus.

During the regular school year, they benefit from government-subsidized free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs. The percentage of kids who participated in these programs was minimal where I lived before, but is huge here.

I've been convinced by a neighbor who served many years as a school principal that hearts should go out to the kids she encountered every day who went hungry at home if food didn't come from other sources.

Twice during the summer months, she invites everyone in our 70-home community to meet at her house where we supply and stuff lunch bags. These lunches go to a local mission that delivers them to economically disadvantaged kids.

Our area also has a number of large church-based and other types of charitable food assistance programs. Grocery stores and other retailers, as well as civic groups, are major contributors.

What some critics might see as "grocery or TP hoarding" could actually be local charitable groups trying to do good in the community by gathering and distributing necessities to needy families.

When you see a cart filled to the brim with certain items in a store, it could be a store donation being picked up by a charity volunteer.

A lot of low-income people have recently been laid off or let go from their low-income jobs, as restaurants and many other businesses have shut down.

Things could get worse for their kids before they get better.

Re: School Lunches

CalminHeart — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 10:59:57 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
There seems to be a mighty compulsion nowdays to provide each child enrolled in public school with a so-called "hot lunch". I don't quite understand the need for this. It's the content, not the temperature that provides nutrition.

My parents were quite frugal and only on rare special occasions did I get to buy my lunch. Mother made my lunch daily which consisted of a sandwich, carrot sticks and a piece of fruit and maybe a cookie. I bought milk. I grew up strong and healthy without any complexes from eating a home-made lunch. The parents were able to put two kids through college so the sacrifice seems worthwhile.

So why can't parents do this nowdays and why is it so important that taxpayers feed every child? What's the purpose of Food Stamps if not to feed these kids? Why can't parents take the responsibility of feeding their own kids?

Just wondering because it seems to be a big deal....

The world has changed since we were kids and in school. It's not the same.

1/3 of the kids in my state go hungry without a school meal.

Kids don't learn when they are hungry.

Without a good education, these kids are doomed to poverty and continued need for assistance.

It costs taxpayers just $60 a year to feed a child and provide other support to the needy. It costs $6,500 to fund government handouts to big business.

Food stamps don't pay for everything.

I've worked with charities over the years and you'd be amazed how many people go hungry even though they work while receiving some support.

Being charitable is a good thing. Count your blessing that you don't need the help.

Re: School Lunches

SouthernBee — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:07:23 GMT

@novamc1 : Well stated. My Dad died when I was a baby and we had social security benefits. Mom made sure we had lunch money but I know she sacrificed something to do this. She was active in the school with the PTA. She was friends with the school cafeteria manager and any extra funds raised from PTA events were given to the manager- a precious woman that made sure kids were given lunch bags of PBJ sandwiches and milk to take home. Southern Bee

Re: School Lunches

SouthernBee — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:20:50 GMT

@CalminHeart : I was born with cerebral palsy and a well known orthopedic doctor in my city established a cripple children's clinic for us and surrounding counties. Ladies Groups- from churches and garden groups prepared lunch bags. My Mom and other parents at first would refuse a lunch bag but they insisted because we were there all day long. The clinic was open from 8 to 5 and only open one day a month. Mom always talked with my teachers the day before to obtain any homework for the clinic day- I had to finish my work before talking or playing.Southern Bee

Re: School Lunches

SunSprite — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 12:08:46 GMT

When my daughter started teaching school a few years ago it was an eye opener for both of us. A third of her class that first year of teaching was being raised by an assortment of elderly grandmothers. Those first grade students had absentee parents; some in jail, some just not around....whatever.

The grandmothers were trying to raise these little children on their small social security check, food stamps, etc.

I remember that day my daughter saw one little boy sticking the apple from his school lunch in his backpack. She asked him if it was for a snack later and he said "no...my little brother needs it".....she went to their school counselor and found out the grandmother was raising and 8 year old, a 6 year old as well as a 4 year old not yet in kindergarten. Their food stamps had already run out for the month.

I agree we as a country and as a society need a better plan. A long range plan that prevents this type of need from happening in the first place. But when you are a child with no food in your belly a long range plan is not going to sustain you at that moment. It is not the child's fault that their parents are deadbeats. Our best bet seems to be to break that cycle, so that it doesn't keep repeating. It's the "how" we need to figure out.

Sorry, got off track. There is nothing wrong with a "cold" lunch. I think some people use "hot lunch" to describe a balanced, nutritious lunch....not really meaning the temperature of the food.

Re: School Lunches

lolakimono — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 12:16:41 GMT

@Kachina624

It is not about a hot lunch, but rather having access to any food. In my school, abot 50% of the students are considered FARMS (Free and Reduced Meals). Every student has the option for a free breakfast (part of a grant), regardless of family income. It is something that also helps with attendance and tardies. Students who want breakfast need to be at school by 7:10 to get in line. Breakfast is usually a drink (juice or milk I think) and a breakfast bar (like Nutri grain) or fruit.

Lunch is a variety of foods, including access to salads, fruits, veggies, pizza, tacos, fries, etc. Many of my students also work, so they may or may not have access to food at night while they're on the job. I know that when I worked retail, for example, I had to work five hours before I was eligible for a 15 minute break.

We also have a food pantry at school that families can sign up for, and once a month there is a free produce day, that even faculty and staff can use regardless of income. One of my teachers brought a bushel of apples and a bag of oranges back for her classroom, and the next day during a break in instruction she asked if anyone wanted one and they vanished immediately.

Re: School Lunches

sidsmom — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 12:18:26 GMT

This could be one of the reasons why it's a 'big deal.'

Food hoarders grab WIC foods.

Someone using assisted buy, regardless if they are an adult, child or

part of the elderly community, they go without if WIC-approved

food is not available.

Public School Hot Lunch program has been existence for

quite some time. Odd to question it during this difficult time

when we're all just trying to live.
#compassion

Re: School Lunches

Jaspersmom — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:07:48 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
There seems to be a mighty compulsion nowdays to provide each child enrolled in public school with a so-called "hot lunch". I don't quite understand the need for this. It's the content, not the temperature that provides nutrition.

My parents were quite frugal and only on rare special occasions did I get to buy my lunch. Mother made my lunch daily which consisted of a sandwich, carrot sticks and a piece of fruit and maybe a cookie. I bought milk. I grew up strong and healthy without any complexes from eating a home-made lunch. The parents were able to put two kids through college so the sacrifice seems worthwhile.

So why can't parents do this nowdays and why is it so important that taxpayers feed every child? What's the purpose of Food Stamps if not to feed these kids? Why can't parents take the responsibility of feeding their own kids?

Just wondering because it seems to be a big deal....

It's not about the temperature of the food. It's about poverty and putting food in the bellies of kids who might not eat if it weren't for school breakfast and lunch programs. Maybe they don't have available parents who can make lunch for them each day. Maybe they don't even have the food items needed to make lunch for them every day. Everyone should spend a few minutes doing a google search on the amount of poverty we have in this country and why? We're one of the richest nations in the world and yet we have plenty of people who never have a nutritious meal. I'm a retired teacher and saw it all and now I volunteer in a soup kitchen and see more. I hope everyone will consider donating to a food bank or agency during this challenging time in our country.

Re: School Lunches

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:10:01 GMT

Just don't even know what to say

Re: School Lunches

wildcat fan — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:18:34 GMT

There are districts here that provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, regardless of socioeconomic status, because they have a majority who would qualify for free/reduced lunch. There are kids in these districts whose parents make much more than we do, but because they go to school in these districts they get free meals. At this time, there is an added expense to load these meals on buses to deliver the meals while schools are closed.

What's interesting to me is how much of the free food goes in the garbage on a regular school day. Apples, oranges, bananas, unopened cartons of milk, etc., go straight to the trash. The fruit can't be collected and redistributed because of health codes. A teacher put out a box to collect the apples for her horses, but was told to stop, so now the uneaten apples go out with the rest of the trash.

Then there are the closets of free clothes in the counselor's office. One day a student came in wearing a super short skirt, so I was asked to take her to the storage room since it was my planning. It wasn't enough to just give her something in her size. She had to go through the entire inventory until she found something that met her fashion taste. That's the policy. . .find something that fits, meets dress code, and makes them happy. . .while they are missing class for this little shopping trip. (Interesting how this little adventure to get new clothes always seems to take place on the day of a test, so the policy is that the student is now exempt from taking the test.) The counselor has a group of students who meet with her each month to help her order fashionable clothes for the clothes closet. She has quite a sizeable budget for this. Remember when we used to get hand-me-downs? No used clothes allowed here! And what about Christmas? Each year I'm asked to donate hundreds for kids so they can get new TVs and video games.

What really gets me is not how much free food or clothes that's being given away but how much free healthcare is provided. How many kids in one district have gotten free braces? free cleanings every month? free health screenings? free physicals to play sports? free medicine? I have to pay for all of that for my kids, and I have to schedule those appointments outside of school hours or take off from work. Here the doctors and nurses come to school for all the students on the list. It's another free pass to get out of class and an exemption from any missed assignments.

Apparently, kids today just can't do without, unless their parents don't qualify for the freebies.

Re: School Lunches

KKJ — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:27:17 GMT

ITA with you Wildcat fan on all of this as I work in the school and see it as well. Free healthcare, free dental and one other thing is eyeglasses. What irks me is when people don't have to pay for it themselves they have NO regard for it. Example of this is the kids are always losing or breaking their glasses and the parents don't care. Library books are lost all the time and parents or guardians are supposed to pay for them but they don't and they don't care.

Re: School Lunches

wildcat fan — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:33:35 GMT

@KKJ wrote:
ITA with you Wildcat fan on all of this as I work in the school and see it as well. Free healthcare, free dental and one other thing is eyeglasses. What irks me is when people don't have to pay for it themselves they have NO regard for it. Example of this is the kids are always losing or breaking their glasses and the parents don't care. Library books are lost all the time and parents or guardians are supposed to pay for them but they don't and they don't care.

I forgot about the free eye exams and glasses @KKJ I see the broken glasses (and free replacements) all the time. And I see the forgiven lost book fines--everybody else gets numerous reminders about how they can't go on the field trip until they pay for the lost books, but if the student's name is on the list of free/reduced lunch, the fine is forgiven.

When will it stop? The majority I've observed don't appreciate it. They expect it. They demand it. . .while all the rest of us are paying for it it, and we're labeled "insensitive" (or worse) if we question it.

Re: School Lunches

KKJ — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:39:00 GMT

Exactly! I couldn't agree more!

Re: School Lunches

RetRN — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:46:28 GMT

So many thousands of people struggling to meet their own needs. And then they are expected to take care of others, I don't get it. People are scrimping to get by with their food and medications, they are really struggling. Then they are supposed to help out people who are lazy and greedy and abuse the system, living for anything they can get free. There is no reason that so many people can not take care of themselves. Of course there are people who have fallen on hard times that many of us are more than willing to help. but jeez.

Re: School Lunches

novamc1 — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:03:40 GMT

One sure way to perpetuate the poverty cycle would be to send kids to school hungry and let them leave hungry in the afternoon.

I remember how hungry I used to be when I'd get home from school. Would go through the kitchen like a locust, even though I'd had a full lunch.

Kids can't focus on school lessons with empty stomachs and no energy. Reportedly, this is one reason many students feel compelled to drop out and go to work to get food on the table at home. Or worse, they turn to gangs and crime, after which we can expect to feed them three times a day in jails and prisons.

Re: School Lunches

LindaSal — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:45:01 GMT

No one wants to see children go hungry but there is too much fraud and abuse in the system. Too many are getting these subsidies that don't need them costing the rest of society a great deal. I worked with another dental assistant years ago, yes she was a single mom but was making good money and drove a brand new car. Every week she would stop at the food kitchen and fill a grocery bag over capacity. I was mortified and asked her why she did that. Her response was "because I can" . Just sayin.

Re: School Lunches

FiddleDeeDee — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:00:52 GMT

I reside in one of the wealthiest counties in the US. The number of hot lunches AND breakfasts AND snacks (open to all children upon entering school in the morning and served during first period or homeroom once in middle and high school) is in the THOUSANDS. For JUST my county. I am involved in community outreach and am asked "who" is getting these meals....there are no POOR people in our county.

Oh really? You have no idea how many households are struggling. They may be living in a huge house on the hill but are in debt because of layoffs, medical bills, divorce....who knows. The image is of wealth but the reality is....they have nothing. The "unseen" are just that....tucked away in areas that the majority don't see (and often don't want to). They shop out of the county because they can't afford to shop at any of the stores IN the county. Their food comes from the county food bank ("we have one of those?!" I am asked all the time) and often their only care comes from the ER. Many are proud and refuse assistant (especially the elderly) and yet, what anyone receives is NOT ENOUGH TO SURVIVE ON. I stress that because it's such a small amount.

These children did NOTHING other than to be born into a situation that can't provide them basic nourishment to grow, stay healthy and be educated. Often their parents are no capable of basic care and grandparents are doing the best they can with what little they have. Children make up the highest number of those homeless and malnourished; feeding them a hot lunch is the LEAST we as a society can do.

Currently my county is making hot lunches possible via drop off points (assigned HS's in the county). This also provides school nurses to check on the health of these children especially if there are issues at home (issues that are magnified in a situation such as we are experiencing now). The county is also able to pass out educational aides to them that they normally would only have access to in a classroom (since school is closed for the year).

Though I don't believe in any way that what we serve for "hot" meals is all that nutritious, It is for many, the ONLY food they will get that day. Those of us who can afford to feed, clothe, house and buy things without it being a MAJOR concern are very, very fortunate.

Re: School Lunches

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:07:59 GMT

I think some people here would be shocked at how much of their money goes to breaks and perks and handouts for rich people. And how many of those rich people don't pay their fair share in taxes, thus increasing the tax burden on the middle class.

That will only increase with this pandemic situation. Most of those rich people don't turn around and help others with that money or create jobs with it, it goes into their own pockets. That has been the case for a very long time too. Perhaps outrage should be more evenly spread around.

Re: School Lunches

KKJ — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:17:50 GMT

I have no issue with feeding the kids as yes, they can't learn w/o proper nutrition. I do have a problem with lazy so-called parents doing NOTHING to help their kids at home. I can't tell you the number of parents or guardians that complain we aren't doing enough to help their kids at school all the while they won't even read a 2-page book to them at home.or help at all with any schoolwork. There's only so much teachers can do during the course of the schoolday, and for many that is ALL the learning a kid gets. Parents take NO responsibility for their kids anymore.