The Incident That Shocked Everyone

(CNN) — Students at an Attleboro, Massachusetts, middle school went hungry this week, if they had a negative balance on their pre-paid lunch cards. Five cents of debt was enough for cafeteria employees at the Coehlo Middle School to instruct kids at least one day last week to dump out the food they would have normally eaten.

About 25 children left the lunchroom with empty stomachs.

OK, deep breath… Blood shot from my eyes when I came across this story! Middle school kids that showed up at the school cafeteria for lunch, those that are lucky enough to have parents who forgot to pay, got a taste of the “real world” when they were told they couldn’t eat the lunch they received.

All because they had a negative balance on their prepaid lunch cards.

Of course none of the geniuses at the school want to take blame for this inexcusable fiasco.

The principal blames the food vendor; the vendor blames the employees that made the decision.  Supposedly students that have a negative balance are to receive a cheese sandwich, a fruit and vegetable, and milk.  …That sounds pretty good.  But they didn’t even get that!  They left hungry.

There is plenty blame to be passed around to all involved as far as I’m concerned, but the real blame, the root of the problem is the kid’s parents.

I can’t think of an excuse good enough to justify your kid going without food.  How is it that the kid’s prepaid lunch cards are ever in the negative?  There should be nothing more important than making sure you have paid the bill for your kid’s lunch.

Is it possible that the parent’s finances are in such great disarray that they just couldn’t make the lunch card payment?  And if you know you can’t or haven’t made the lunch card payment, should you send a bagged lunch with your kid?  …I guess they were counting on the “cheese sandwich when your parents suck” meal to cover their lack of ability to ensure their kids don’t go hungry.

If you are unable to keep track and make the payments for your kid’s lunch card, I think it’s time for a budget.  …with the first item that gets paid, even before buying smokes, paying the cable or buying the booze, is your child’s prepaid lunch card.

If you find yourself in a situation where your debt is starting to get out of control and you can’t make the most important of all your payments, then I think it’s time to seek the advice of a professional before it gets too late and your kid is the one sitting in the cafeteria without anything to eat.

The professionals at DebtHelper.com can explain the benefits of a debt management program and provide you with a fresh start.

One of the biggest long-term benefits of the debt management plan is the reduction in interest. Reduced interest allows you to pay off your principal balances faster while saving you possibly thousands of dollars in finance charges.

When Lunch Becomes a Lesson

Students at Coehlo Middle School in Attleboro, Massachusetts, faced a harsh situation last week. If their prepaid lunch cards had even a small negative balance, they were told to throw away their food. Just five cents of debt was enough for staff to take away their meals.
Around 25 students left the cafeteria hungry that day.

A Harsh Reality for Young Students

It’s shocking to imagine middle school kids being denied lunch. They came to eat, but instead, they were embarrassed in front of their classmates. These students were told they couldn’t eat because their parents hadn’t paid a few cents.

No child should have to experience this kind of humiliation.

Throwing Away Food — and Dignity

What made things worse was the rule that forced students to dump out their food. They then had to sit through lunch, watching others eat while they stayed hungry.
That’s not just unfair it’s cruel. It teaches kids the wrong kind of “life lesson.” Middle schoolers shouldn’t have to worry about money or meals. They should focus on learning and growing.

Blame Without Responsibility

After the incident, everyone started blaming someone else.
The principal blamed the food vendor.
The vendor blamed the cafeteria workers.

According to the school’s policy, students with a negative balance should get a simple meal — a cheese sandwich, fruit or vegetables, and milk. But even that didn’t happen. These children left the cafeteria with nothing to eat.

The Real Issue Lies at Home

While the school handled things poorly, parents also share part of the responsibility. If your child’s lunch card balance goes negative, it means payments weren’t made on time.
No matter how tough life gets, a child’s basic needs must come first. Lunch isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.

If finances are becoming hard to manage, it’s time to take action before the situation affects your children.

A Practical Solution for Parents

When debt grows and you start missing important payments, professional help can make a difference. DebtHelper.com offers debt management programs that help families regain control of their finances.

By lowering interest rates, they help you pay off your debts faster and save money over time. You can start by filling out a simple online budget form.

Their certified counselors can guide you through every step. Consultations are free, and you can reach them at (800) 920-2262 any time.

Conclusion

No child should ever go hungry because of a few unpaid dollars. Schools must handle such cases with care and compassion, and parents must stay on top of their responsibilities. Together, we can make sure no student has to learn hunger as a life lesson.

In order to determine if you are eligible for a debt management program, you can fill out an online budget application form now and then you can contact one of their Certified Personal Finance Counselors© at (800) 920-2262.

DebtHelper.com can currently accept clients from the states listed here. DebtHelper.com is licensed, insured and complies with all state licensing requirements to ensure mandated regulations are followed. They are diligently working on becoming licensed in every state and are opening new states monthly.

Please call (800) 920-2262 if you have any questions. DebtHelper.com’s consultations are free, call them any time.