Seattle man raises money to pay Spokane school lunch debts

A Seattle man is raising money to help students in Spokane pay for school lunches.

Jeff Lew has raised $3,500 on a GoFundMe page to pay Spokane students' lunch debts and fight lunch shaming.

Lew is opposed to a widespread practice where schools mark students in some way, indicating that they don't have money left in their lunch account or are close to running out.

The Spokesman-Review reports that in some districts, cafeteria workers are even supposed to take the children's food and throw it away if they're unable to pay.

Lew has started similar campaigns in Seattle, Tacoma and Renton.

Lew said his effort is important because he does not want any students to ever feel ashamed of their food.

"Kids will think differently of this friend like: 'Hey he has no money again, so wow what's going on,' or 'Hey I'm eating a hot pizza what's going on here.'" Lew said. "So psychologically I think it can affect the child."

Lew told KIRO 7 he's working to find a permanent solution to end lunch shaming.

He says he's received responses from Seattle mayoral candidates, saying they're willing to meet with him about the issue if they're elected.

Associated Press