CHARLOTTE, N.C. — School lunch debt in North Carolina is reportedly breaking records.
Part of the problem is the ending of pandemic-era programs and benefits, like enhanced food stamps and free lunches for students. While people across the state, from churches to local moms, have raised thousands to alleviate the hefty student debt, lawmakers are getting involved with a new push.
The Free Meals For All Act would provide every student with breakfast and lunch for free.
The state's Board of Education would determine how much money each school needs to fund free meals. That number would be partly based on how much the school would get if all students qualified for federal free meals in the last year.
As for where the money would come from, the bill would send $172 million in taxpayer dollars to the Department of Public Instruction.
Ultimately, the state board and local school leaders would determine how to use the money.
Contact Kia Murray at kmurray@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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