Utah faces a growing problem with millions of dollars in unpaid school lunch debt. Grassroots efforts and lawmakers are seeking solutions.
Utah schools continue to face a growing problem: millions of dollars in unpaid lunch debt — which has inspired grassroots efforts and gotten lawmakers to look for solutions. One effort is led by DJ Bracken, founder of the Utah Lunch Debt Relief Foundation, a non-profit organization which aims to eliminate school lunch debt across the state. Since we started in July, this has been by far our best month,' Bracken said of December's fundraising success.
Of the $35,000 the foundation has raised this year, $14,000 came in December alone. The funds have been used to pay off lunch debt for 10 schools. 'It really is rare in life when you get a chance to see how many people want to help others,' he said. While community-driven efforts like Bracken’s have made a difference, lawmakers may be stepping up to address the issue at the state level. Representative Tyler Clancy is co-sponsoring a bill that would provide free lunch to families currently eligible for reduced-cost meals. Although Clancy was unavailable for comment Monday night, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, a retired educator and member of the Education Appropriations Committee, supports lawmakers stepping up. 'I think out of a $29, what is it, a $30 billion budget, we can find money for kids’ school lunch,' Moss said, referencing the $5 million Governor Spencer Cox has included for this purpose in his proposed budget. Moss suggested that citizen-led initiatives like Bracken’s can play a role in getting legislators' attention. 'I think it influences legislators when they see that citizens are trying to do something on their own,' she said. The Utah legislative session begins January 21, and advocates hope that 2025’s efforts will finally secure funding to ease the burden on schools and families across the state
SCHOOL LUNCH UNPAID DEBT LAWMAKERS GRASSROOTS EFFORTS EDUCATION
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