Students eat lunch at Jefferson Lincoln Elementary in Centralia in this photo taken in December 2016.
The governor of the Chehalis Moose Lodge was surprised to find out the amount of lunch debt that has been accrued by students in the Centralia and Chehalis school districts.
The issue first came to his attention after he watched a news report on the topic. He decided to find out what the impacts are locally, leading his organization to spring into action to help the students who are affected.
“I found out, yes, it does happen here, too,” Dave Montonye, the governor of the local lodge, said. “We decided it’s just not right to have the child be treated like that, and we thought we’d do something about it.”
Now, the Chehalis Moose Lodge is committed to help. The organization will hold a benefit to raise money to payoff student lunch debt. It will provide students a fresh start to the school year, Montonye said.
The hope is it will also bring attention to the issue of “lunch shaming,” which can take on a variety of forms. That includes providing children with a less desirable food option if they can’t pay.
As Montonye explained, students who do not have money for a hot meal are typically given a brown bag breakfast or lunch along with a drink.
“That kid is probably going in hungry and maybe one of the hungriest kids in line,” he said. “They could be given a granola bar and a juice box when all the other kids are getting warm, proper meals. Then when everyone is getting a hot lunch, the kid could be given a cheese or peanut butter sandwich and container of milk.”
According to numbers provided by the Chehalis and Centralia school districts, the total negative meal account balance between the two districts is $4,965.55.
In the Chehalis School District, the amount of debt accrued currently sits at $2,347.07. The district has a total of 549 students that have negative account balances in K-12.
Heather Pinkerton, director of business and operations at the district, said in an email that the debt comes from students and families whose income is above the threshold to qualify for assistance such as free or reduced meals.
In the Centralia School District, there’s currently $2,618.48 owed by students.
For Montonye, the issue is that every child should be given a warm meal.
“It’s not the kid’s fault,” he said.
The money raised from the benefit will pay off the current debt on the books, and hopefully even raise some extra money for future cases. Montonye said he hopes a “cushion” can be provided to the districts so they can use it when students are unable to pay for their lunch or breakfast.
The goal is to start with the districts in the Twin Cities, and later move to other schools in Lewis County who also can’t pay for their meals.
“We can only take on so much at a time, but hopefully we raise enough so no child in Lewis County is treated like that,” Montonye said.
This is the first time the Lodge is targeting outstanding meal balance, although the organization typically focuses on helping children, seniors and first responders.
“When this came along we felt there was a need and wanted to do something to help our kids and our community,” he said. “I was surprised it was going on.”
The benefit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Chehalis Moose Lodge. Along with a pulled pork and sweet corn dinner, there will be raffles and children’s games.
About the Fundraiser
The fundraiser will help pay off student debt for breakfast and lunch. It will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Chehalis Moose Lodge, 1400 Grand Ave., Centralia. Pulled pork and sweet corn will be served. Raffles and kids games will also be available.
Businesses interested in donating raffle prizes, or anyone who wants to contribute financially to the cause, can call the Moose Lodge at 360-736-9030 or mail items to P.O. Box 426, Chehalis, WA, 98532.
