Franklin First United Methodist Church donated $9,500 to the Franklin Special School District (FSSD) to pay off all negative cafeteria balances occurred by students at all 8 schools for the 2023-2024 academic school year.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ -Matthew 25:35-40 

In March 2024, United4Hope was approached by the FSSD about an existing $9,000+ negative cafeteria balance that had occurred throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. In an effort to learn more, our United4Hope Program Manager, Marian Campos met with the FSSD Food and Culinary Service team, led by Robbin Cross, Supervisor, and Marne Price, Operations Coordinator. 

United4Hope learned that a family of 4 must make less than $55,500 to qualify for reduced lunch and $39,000 for free lunch. Automatically, we knew there was an opportunity to support these families. If a family of 4 makes $500 more and it puts the family at $56,000, they automatically do not qualify for any breakfast/lunch reduction, causing an accumulation of debt for the student. While the district never denies food to students with negative balances, a la carte items (such as ice cream) are not allowed. The debt this year was at an unprecedented height. There is no budget in the FSSD to cover this debt, so the FSSD Food and Culinary Services Department’s Take A Bite Out of Student Lunch Debt program provided generous donors with an opportunity to help students in need erase their negative cafeteria balances. 

 FSSD Social Worker, Amanda Morrissey hoped United4Hope could share information about the newly launched Take A Bite Out of Student Lunch Debt Campaign. Mrs. Morrissey believed that a church’s involvement in this district initiative could have a meaningful impact, and she was right.

Ms. Campos spread information about the campaign and the accrued cafeteria lunch debt to active and prospective Franklin churches. Within a couple of days, Franklin First United Methodist Church Pastor of Historic Sanctuary & Missions, Reverand Carlisle Jones, called Franklin First’s Mission Committee Chair, Marilyn Holmes, to ask if the church could cover all the FSSD negative cafeteria balances. Immediately Marilyn Holmes without hesitation said “yes.” 

“We both agreed we wanted to do this and that it was important that the children and families knew the gift came from someone who loves them and is praying for them.” -Carlisle Jones 

We asked Carlisle Jones why was it important for FFUMC to help local families in need with the financial stress of debt? 

“Here at Franklin First, we have received a call to Seek First the Kingdom of God which invites us to look for ways to make our small corner of the world look a bit more like the Kingdom. When United4Hope shared about the reality of the student lunch debt at FSSD, it was immediately clear to us that God was providing us a way to love our neighbors, one ice cream cone at a time! It’s been a nice way for me to think about the important role food plays in not just nutrition but also joy and belonging. In the Kingdom everyone gets ice cream. Our hope in offering this gift is that every child, family, and administrator would see the donation as a reminder that they are loved and prayed for by God and this congregation. 

This [gift] only came about because of the work of United4Hope (aka Marian!) helping us connect better with FSSD. So, team effort!” – Carlisle Jones 

There were so many people named above that played a role in erasing student food debt. It truly takes a village working together to bring about this kind of change. We are honored we could play a small piece in supporting the families and staff of the Franklin Special School District.

Franklin First United Methodist Church will also be supporting a school within the FSSD in the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. We hope this story brings you joy and hope for what is possible in a church and school partnership.