Eliminate Lunch Debt at Kingsport City Schools

As of today, the total lunch debt across 6 schools and 1 pre-k in Kingsport is $15,881.

Let that sink in.

The cost of lunch for Kingsport students ranges from $2.65-$3.00. To put it in perspective, that’s less than the average cost of a cup of coffee. That is an enormous number of meals families are obviously struggling to afford—and the need grows each day.

As we enter this season of giving, holiday shopping, and reflection, my mind has been on those who didn’t choose their circumstances. Children don’t choose lunch debt, and every child deserves to eat. Consumers have spent over $9 billion on black Friday and $11 billion on cyber Monday for this year’s hottest gifts. As those who CAN are filling stockings and lining the tree with gifts, many in our own community who CAN’T are struggling to provide the basics.

Tennessee is one of the top-ten states where students rely on school lunches for a consistent meal. As of 2020’s census, almost 1 in 5 people in Kingsport live in poverty . And according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2021:

• 15.9% of all Northeast Tennesseans (81,010 individuals) are considered food insecure

• 18.8% of children in Northeast Tennessee (18,430 individuals under age 18) are considered food insecure

It is my goal to pay off the entire lunch debt at Kingsport Schools by Christmas. Students deserve to get their education without the looming stress of their family’s ability to pay for lunch. Over the next 25 days, as you prepare for the holidays with your own family, will you consider helping a child in our community satisfy their lunch debt?

HOW TO HELP

Important Note: Kingsport City Schools did not request this donation. This is a personal initiative and a goal that I would like to see through with the help of others in the community. As soon as this goal is met, I will submit funds in the form of a check specifying that it is a donation to satisfy negative lunch balances. If the goal is not met by December 25, I will submit the total amount raised regardless.