I wanted to start this petition after receiving feedback from a few members of my community, hoping to make a change. My daughter came home from school one day and was telling me she was hungry because she did not have lunch. I asked her was it because she did not like what they had and she replied  "No I shared it with this girl in my class". I found out the girl doesn't receive free/reduced lunch and her mom was not putting money on her account to get it. After talking with my daughter I found out there were a few kids that do not qualify for free/reduced meals because their parents make to much and they would not eat lunch either. I asked did the school no offer at least something for the ones with no money on their accounts and was told no. I contacted the school and the school board who claim food is offered to every child whether they have the funds or not. After another conversation with my daughter I thought to myself, what if those kids are embarrassed to ask for something, especially if it is the same brown paper bags we received with a sandwhich and carrots or celery with a milk jug. If so, no wonder they would rather starve because in today's generation with bullying and kids being so judgmental, I wouldn't ask either! What if their parents would be mad they are running up the bill in the cafeteria because there is no money on their accounts? If the students have a balance on their account $15.00- $20.00 they cannot attend school activities such as the school dance, formal, field trips, etc. Breakfast is $1.35-$2.00 and Lunch is $2.55-$3.00.... if a student was to get breakfast and lunch everyday for one week, that is almost $25.00 a week. Although, some parents may not meet the requirements for free/reduced lunch, you never know what is going on in their home. Maybe the only time these students get a hot meal or eat at all, is at school. Maybe because of inflation and the cost of living, etc. their parents money go towards bills, so all they can afford is to cook a meal only once a week. Not everyone is comfortable with asking for help and not everyone can afford a school meal. When COVID-19 came, meals were free for every student and most families received PEBT(pandemic food/snap benefits) but now everything has gone back to "normal". Some states and counties still offer free meals to every student, but not New Hanover County. They say breakfast is the most important part of the day, a meal is an important part of a students learning. That is why my daughter and I have started this petition, in hopes to make a change for every student!