Knox students who’d fallen behind in their lunch payments have had their debt erased, thanks to the generosity of the local community.
School Corporation Treasurer Kasey Clark recently told the school board that lunch accounts had been about $10,000 in the hole. But with all of the food service donations that have come in this school year, all of the students’ accounts are now paid off. Clark said that, combined with the USDA’s continuation of free meals through the end of the school year, has helped a lot of families.
Board Member Kirk Bennett expressed his appreciation to everyone who’s donated to the effort in recent years. “Somehow, we got the word out that this is happening and someone had started it. And it just snowballed,” Bennett said. “And then I was just sitting here thinking, ‘Man, how awesome is that, that people just keep giving and giving and giving to help out those families?’”
Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart said it’s something that sets Knox apart from other communities where he’s worked. “I’ve been at other school districts, and I’ve always gotten donations to the board for athletics or for band, but I have never been in a community where we’ve seen the outpouring of support for lunches,” Reichhart noted.
The school board accepted a $500 donation from Tom and Tamy Lock to be used for high school students in need. Principal Glenn Barnes said that inspired staff members to donate, kicking off a “Christmas elf program.”
