FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Don’t students who can’t afford school lunch receive free lunch?

The National School Lunch Program does provide free and reduced-price meals to students who meet certain eligibility guidelines. But many more families fall into a difficult gray area—earning just above the cutoff, yet still struggling to make ends meet. These are often working families who don’t qualify for assistance but still can’t reliably cover the cost of daily school meals. Their children are the most at risk of accumulating lunch debt, quietly racking up balances over time. School Lunch Angels was created to help lift that burden—because no child should be caught in the gap.

What happens if a child doesn’t have lunch money on their account??

In Harris County, students may charge their cafeteria account up to a negative balance of $20.00. After reaching this limit, they are offered an alternative lunch, typically a cheese sandwich and milk. While this policy technically ensures a child receives something to eat, it can lead to embarrassment or social stigma—especially for high school students, who may choose to skip lunch entirely rather than be singled out.

What are the Student Demographics and Needs in Harris County GA Schools?

As of the 2023–2024 school year, the Harris County School District served approximately 5,645 students across pre-K through 12th grade. It’s estimated that around 25-30% (~1700) of these students are considered “at risk,” meaning they face economic, nutritional, or other personal hardships that may affect their ability to succeed in school.

Can I sponsor a specific child or school?

At this time, School Lunch Angels does not match donors with individual children in order to protect student privacy and dignity. However, we do accept targeted donations to support a specific school or grade level within Harris County. If you have a particular school community close to your heart, we’ll make sure your gift is directed accordingly. Every donation—large or small—helps eliminate lunch debt and ensure no student goes without a meal.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. School Lunch Angels is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all eligible donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Once your donation is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a receipt for your records. If you ever need a copy of a past donation receipt, we’re happy to help—just contact us directly.

How do you decide which students receive help?

We partner directly with the Harris County School Nutrition Department and local school staff to identify students in need. Our primary focus is on children who have accumulated lunch debt but do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals—often from working families who fall just above the federal income threshold. In addition to financial hardship, we also assist students who are experiencing sudden, life-changing events such as a house fire, the loss of a parent or guardian, or a serious medical diagnosis that has disrupted the family’s financial stability. Because schools are often the first to recognize these personal challenges, we rely on trusted staff—teachers, counselors, and cafeteria managers—to discreetly notify us when a child may need extra support. Our goal is to respond compassionately and quickly, ensuring no student has to skip a meal or carry the burden of their family’s hardship at school.

How much does it cost to feed one child school meals for the entire school year?

These costs can be overwhelming for families—especially those with multiple children or facing short-term financial instability. That’s where School Lunch Angels steps in—to make sure no child goes without a nourishing meal at school.

How much of my donation goes directly to paying off lunch debt?

School Lunch Angels is in its inaugural year, and we are committed from the start to using donor funds responsibly and transparently. Our primary goal is to use as much of each donation as possible to directly pay off school lunch debt and provide support to students in need.

As a volunteer-led organization with minimal overhead, we do not carry salaries or large administrative expenses. While there may be small costs for things like printing, banking, or community outreach, these are kept to a minimum. As we grow, we will publicly share how funds are allocated so our donors can see the real impact their generosity is making.