A GoFundMe campaign was launched Wednesday in response to the school board’s decision to use a collection agency to recover unpaid student lunch debt.
As of May 27, the total outstanding lunch debt stood at $79,628, with 53 students owing more than $300.
The GoFundMe page states it is organized by two community members, Alexandrea LaCroix and Kathy Rojas. Their goal is to reach $2,200 to help pay off lunch balances for elementary schools within the district.
According to the Sioux City Community School District website, the Community Eligibility Provision allows schools that predominantly serve low-income children to offer free meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. Participation is automatic. The school district has 13 schools that qualify for CEP.
In the School Board meeting on Monday, Angela Bemus, Associate Superintendent, said that the school district has exhausted every method they could think of to collect the balances and that she doesn't want to create a barrier for families.
Bemus also said that they have offered payment plans that would have families paying $1 a month until the balance is paid off.
In response to the fundraiser, the Sioux City School District clarified that they are not affiliated with the campaign. They encourage those wishing to make secure donations that directly support students to do so through the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation.
The school district also said that if community members would like to donate towards the unpaid lunch balances, they would have to specify that when making the donation.
As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe has reached $1,625.
