By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
More than 1,400 students in Westfield Washington Schools have had their school lunch balances paid thanks to a one-time grant from the Arby’s Foundation, the WWS Big Hearts fund, and private donations.
The Arby’s Foundation, a charitable arm of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., recently stepped up to help combat food insecurity by committing $1 million to pay student lunch debt at schools nationwide.
WWS applied for a grant in November 2023 with a total debt amount of nearly $60,000 accrued since the beginning of the school year. Ashley Knott, coordinator of family and community engagement, said that more than 20 percent of students in Westfield and 24 percent across Hamilton County receive free or reduced lunch.
In January, the Arby’s Foundation awarded WWS a one-time grant of $59,701 to put toward delinquent lunch accounts for district students and families.
“We’ve always had lunch debts, but they have increased steadily,” Knott said.
By the time WWS received the grant, the total lunch debt had risen even higher, so in addition to the Arby’s Foundation grant, the WWS Big Hearts fund and private donations enabled the school district to pay debts in the amount of $71,202.21. The WWS Big Hearts account exists to support students in need through recommendations from a school counselor.
In February, all free and reduced lunch accounts were paid off as well as other accounts of families who had been working with the district on payment.
“We often find that some families fail to qualify for free and reduced lunch by marginal amounts,” Knott said.
Letters were sent to families upon funds being added to the accounts of their students.
“We understand that nutrition plays a crucial role in a student’s behavior, engagement, and academic performance, so we applaud the Arby’s Foundation for making an impact here in Westfield to support our students,” Knott said.
Knott also acknowledged that the school partners with organizations across Hamilton County, such as Open Doors of Washington Township and Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, in order to help students.
“Our goal is to support our students to make sure that they have the nutrition that they need so they can be avid learners and feel valued, connected, and loved as they learn,” Knott said.
Knott also encouraged families to reach out to the district when they need help.
“We will always ensure that a student has a meal,” Knott said. “But we want to make sure we have responsible spending and deposits to offset those additional food requests.”
To apply for free or reduced meals at Westfield Washington Schools or to learn more, go to tinyurl.com/WWSfreereducedlunch. For more about the WWS Big Hearts fund and how people can help fight food insecurity in the school district, visit bit.ly/WWSBigHeartsDonation.