This is NOT a poverty issue, in fact it’s just the opposite!

The children from families nearest the poverty level would likely qualify for free meals at school, those children have meal security, at least while at school. Everyone else, those paying a full or a reduced price for school meals, is at risk. Here is the Aubrey Middle School charge policy, this school was selected at random to serve as an example of one of the thousands of school charge policies currently in force. FYI, Aubrey is a small town of about 2,600 folks, located roughly 30 miles north of Dallas/Ft. Worth. This particular policy offers no charges but maintains a $4 emergency allowance that students can use. After the emergency funds are depleted a student will receive alternative meals for up to three days, after which the student would receive nothing. This is not a horrible policy but it does not allow students to continue receiving meals while the adults work out any necessary payment plans, as this petition calls for. Things come up, emergencies happen, hours get cut, that's life, a child shouldn't have to suffer with hunger at school just because a self-employed dad broke his leg and can't work (medical bills, co-pays & loss of income). Thanks for reading, sharing & supporting this petition, Kelvin http://www.aubreyisd.net/Page/2359