KELLER, Texas — Keller ISD is hoping to offset lunch debt for students following the district's announcement that it would begin serving "alternative meals" to students who have unpaid meal charges.
"We simply want you to know that Keller ISD has and will continue to fill the gap by providing free breakfast and lunch, as we always have," the district said in a letter to parents on Friday.
Last week, the district said starting Oct. 21 students across all grade levels with unpaid lunch balances of more than $25 would be served a SunButter and jelly sandwich for breakfast and a turkey and cheese sandwich for lunch. Both meals would be served with fruit and milk, Keller ISD said.
As of now, that policy will remain in place.
However, the district said they wanted to provide clarification after there was reported confusion following an email sent to parents about Keller ISD's child nutrition program.
"There is more work to be done, and this includes community and industry partnerships to make a big difference for kids and families facing hardships," the district said in the letter to parents.
In partnership with Community Storehouse, the district has launched a "Keller ISD Lunch Fund."
The district describes it as an opportunity for the community to chip in to "help clear meal balances and fight against childhood food insecurity."
Keller ISD told WFAA Monday that the current outstanding debt district-wide is about $37,000 so far this school year.
The district provided two websites where the community can donate to the lunch fund. They can be found online here and on Community Storehouse's website.
Keller ISD students with school lunch debt over $25 will still be served "alternative meals" beginning Oct. 21, according to the district.
School lunch debt is a big problem in the U.S. with more than 30 million students unable to afford meals, according to the Education Data Initiative.
