Legionnaires pay off student lunch debts
Bobby Brite was scrolling through Facebook when he saw a post that mentioned instead of paying it forward at Starbucks, call your local school and pay off student lunch debts. The American Legion member of Post 141 in Howell, Mich., did just that.
Brite called the schools in Howell, Fowlerville and Webberville districts asking for the amount owed. Within a few days, he had his answer, which he brought forth before Post 141’s executive board and membership meeting to pay off. It was approved unanimously.
Post 141 paid over $1,000 to cover student lunch debts.
“In Michigan our kids can't graduate or get their diploma if they have (lunch) debt. They can also be cut off as far as meals go,” Brite said. “So this actually inspired a lot of conversation within our membership meeting where members were like, ‘Can we make this an annual thing?’ So many members wanted to get on board with this and everybody had their own little idea as far as to improve working with the schools and ensure that we continue to do this particular program. It was quite successful.”
Members of Post 141 recently presented checks to each school in the three districts to cover the unpaid lunch debt. Fowlerville Food and Nutrition Director Amy Verhelle-Smith told 6 News that the payoff ensures that no child in the school goes hungry. Because once a student’s debt reaches a certain amount, they no longer have credit to buy food.
“It’s awesome; it’s just such a great benefit for the kids,” Verhelle-Smith said. “That’s what we’re here for, is to feed the kids.”
During the check delivery at a Fowlerville Middle School, about 10 post members had the opportunity to eat lunch with students in the cafeteria. The students knew why the Legionnaires were there and in turn, showed their gratitude.
“They come up to our table, sat down and started chatting. The kids were extremely interactive, patriotic … they love America and love veterans. The kids were fantastic,” Brite said. “They thanked us for our service, they asked us what branch we served in, and it was really a great time. It was a great day, and it was probably one of the better things our post has done for sure.”
The post plans to continue paying off school lunch debt yearly, and if possible, twice a year. And when their efforts were shared on Post 141’s Facebook page, positive responses poured in.
“We received at least 30 messages of ‘How do I join this organization?’,” Brite said, adding that Post 141 has reached 100% membership for 2024. “It was amazing. People want to be a part of good things.”
Other ways the post supports youth is through its summer art class every Tuesday night, and it’s helping to provide a service dog for a school resource offer to help students with anxiety.
“All the stuff that we do that puts us out in the community actually pays us back 10 times. It brings members,” Brite said. “You let people know that kids and families are welcomed in the post, and the post will grow.”