A community campaign is looking to pay off the current $235,000 in Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) school meal debt for students and to convince MMSD to fund free school lunches for all.
Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America and Freedom, Inc., along with additional coalition partners, held a press conference on Tuesday to launch the Free School Meals for Madison campaign with the goal of abolishing the current $235,000 in school meal debt that families owe MMSD through a community-wide mutual aid fundraiser and calling on the MMSD School Board to transition to a universal school meal system by funding free school lunches for all students.
“School meal debt is at a breaking point. Food insecurity is at record highs while families struggle to make ends meet under capitalism and cost of living increases,” David O’Keeffe, member of Madison Area DSA, said in a statement. “Collectively, MMSD families today owe over $235,000 in unpaid lunch debt and students are forced to skip lunch and go hungry every day. As socialists, Madison Area DSA believes that no family or student should ever have to worry about going hungry at school because they can’t afford it.
“Switching to universal free school lunches is an equity-based, moral demand of our school district that has numerous benefits including improved educational outcomes and behavior,” he added.
Beyond Madison Area DSA and Freedom Inc., coalition partners also include the Poor People’s Campaign, Urban Triage, Rooted, and Our Wisconsin Revolution
To donate, sign the petition, or join the campaign, click here.
