As pandemic-related federal funding for school lunches faces its end, Bucks County parents fear a return of harsh tactics schools once used in lieu of other debt relief measures. Emily Rizzo reported their concerns for WHYY.

At present, all Pa. school districts can use federal dollars to issue free breakfasts and lunches to students. The program subsidizing that effort, however, expires in July, enabling districts to relaunch lunch-debt collection measures.

The amounts owed are admittedly not inconsequential.

In Bristol Township School District, lunch debt for 2020–2021 was more than $113,000; Quakertown School District’s was about $18,000.

A group of organizations has banded together to address the issue as the Bucks Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition. It seeks to cancel lunch debt, motivated by the desire to relieve familial financial burdens and save students from “debt shaming” actions.

Alumni at a recent public meeting explained the latter concern.

“They talked about being pulled out of line and [having] to go talk to administration about why they couldn’t afford lunch and being threatened with not being able to graduate,” said Elizabeth Lester-Abdalla of Lower Bucks for Change, a coalition member.

Suggested solutions ranged from debt cancellation to monetary donations to cover costs; however, no set plan has emerged.

More information on school lunch debt relief is at WHYY.