LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Food is fuel and for some families, it’s too costly. School lunch debt is skyrocketing. Nationwide, schools lunch debt tops $19 million dollars. La Crosse is no different.
The periods before lunch can be called the calm before the storm at Central High School.
“There’s no disputing that a child at school needs to be fed,” said La Crosse schools nutritionist Marilyn Volden.
There’s a heavy price tag hanging over every lunch period. For the past two years, a pandemic era program allowed every student to get free meals, but now that the program is over, schools are racking up debt.
“We’re seeing it increase exponentially,” said Volden.
In November, Wisconsin Democrats introduced a bill to provide universal free meals, statewide, but it did not pass the Republican-controlled legislature. This year, student lunch debt is already the highest its been in more than five years.
“Just under $17,000 and we’re not quite halfway through the school year,” said Volden.
Volden says because students need to eat, the debt will continue to rise.
“We don’t deny or withhold meals based on lack of funds,” said Volden.
The district has relied on community donations to pay off lunch debt, but that money is never guaranteed.
“Budgets are tight, people are feeling it at home. If students can’t get the nutrition they need at home, they come to school hungry. Hungry students can’t learn,” said Brad Bryan.
Students can grab snacks and non-perishables from donor funded food pantries located throughout the district.
“I had students come in this morning when they saw it was set up,” said Bryan.
It’s a short term solution.
“It can carry over from year to year,” said Volden. “They will have to pay that if it’s not cleared about by any other means.”
Volden says until there’s more state or federal aid, lunch debt is here to stay.
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