Fundraising campaign eliminates school lunch debt for LWSD seniors
High school graduation should be a time of celebration, but for some students, the burden of lunch debt looms over the occasion. The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF), a nonprofit that supports students in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), raised funds to erase meal debt for the 2025 graduating class so that every senior walked the stage meal debt-free.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal funding made school lunches free for all students. With that funding no longer in place, meal debt has become a more prevalent issue in recent years.
LWSF launched its Fuel Their Future campaign on May 27 through an email to foundation members and potential donors. The campaign goal was to ensure students could graduate without the burden of debt. According to LWSF Executive Director Katy Philips, the foundation exceeded its goal of raising $15,000 just days after launching.
The funds were used to clear all LWSD graduating senior meal debt, with $2,300 going to Eastlake High School specifically, Philips said. LWSF used the surplus to help students in other grades.
“Ultimately, we want students to be focused on their education and growing up and having fun and being kids. We don’t want students to be feeling worried about things that are outside their control and that might get in the way of their well-being,” Philips said.
The meal debt forgiveness idea started with Juanita High School’s (JHS) equity team, which worked with LWSF to organize this year’s fundraiser. JHS Associate Principal Terry Jess, who leads the equity team, believes accessible meals are key to public education.
“Students are compelled to be at public school, and I think the state legislature should ensure that funding is available to ensure free meals for everybody, and the federal government should also be looking at legislation around this. But until that occurs, I think it is incumbent upon communities to help alleviate debt for those who are acquiring it,” Jess said.
Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals. But Ralph Peschek, who manages nutrition services at LWSD, said that even families who struggle to afford meals often do not meet federal program requirements, which do not reflect the local cost of living.
Philips added that some families might qualify but do not know about or apply for the aid. Even if they eventually receive support, the student’s previous debt stays on their account.
Jess saw the positive impact of the campaign firsthand.
“There was a senior that had $700 in debt and was worried about not being able to get his diploma, and the family really could not afford it. So, seeing the relief on the face of that senior, as well as many others that we’ve talked to as we reach out to tell them that the meal debt has been eliminated, there’s just immense gratitude for our community,” Jess said.
LWSD Communications Director Shannon Parthemer said students who owe money are not blocked from graduating. But they do need to work on a solution with their school before doing so.
Philips is grateful to the donors who made the fundraiser a success.
“[The fundraiser] shines a light on that caring nature and generosity of our community,” Philips said.
