Some good news, for once...

My city has always had a summer lunch program in which they serve lunch at several locations for free for anyone under 18. You don't even need proof of income or anything, just show up and eat (as long as you are under 18).

Well, that was made possible through a federal grant which was cut off last year (no shocker, eh?).

So this year my city was stuck with the dilemma of just giving up the program altogether or finding a way to fund it ourselves.

This was no small thing, as things are tough in city budgets all over. I had NO hope of them actually funding this thing and continuing to serve free lunches to the children of the working poor in this city.

A few city council members suggested it was a good thing to give it up. After all, they reasoned, maybe we would attract people who want to buy (and can buy) more expensive homes if we stop giving out free lunches in the summer. (You know, we can't be feeding the poor riff-raff. Two of the city council members who said that are deacons in their churches, by the way.)

But a majority of the city council said (rightfully so) that the kids who eat that free lunch in the summer wouldn't eat at all if it weren't for that. They are the same kids who eat the free lunch at school during the school year (funded a different way). During the school year, the free lunch and breakfast are usually the only meals they eat.

Well, knock me over with a feather---they found a way to squeeze just enough money from several other budgets (in areas where it would be missed the LEAST) and the free summer lunch program is fully funded for one more year. Called an emergency session to do it and everything.

They have no idea what they are going to do next year. But I have emailed each city council member who stood up for this program and might actually be knocked out of office next time around by our more hateful citizens. I thanked them. All those kids will at least get one meal, Monday through Friday this summer. One of them emailed me back and said next summer they may have to only offer it three days a week, or something like that, but that they'd find a way to keep it going.

There ARE people around who still care, how about that?

I couldn't believe it. The one thing that seems to be the last priority of the government nowdays, they made their top priority. Guess I shouldn't leave this place after all.

That's great! I'm so glad for that. :) I hope the people who helped save this program isn't kicked off. :)

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: That is truly excellent.

Our school district still has summer lunches for kids. I don't know how they are funded, but we have plenty of indigent in South Texas that need help. Our Food Bank is always very busy, and Christ's Kitchen (try saying that five times real fast and see if you don't end up saying Christ's chicken) is always busy for lunch.

fortunate! Food, for god's sake!

Jesus H. Christ, if we can't bring ourselves to at least feed the hungry, what are we good for?

:hug: I needed to hear GOOD news for a change.

And I figured GD might benefit from a bit of truly good news.

Shame on those council members who are DEACONS in their church. How can they live with themselves?

in the middle of a sermon. :evilgrin:

Those two should be run out of town and out of the church they belong to.
I think Deaconship in churches is a hiding place for many demons.