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Nourishing Our Communities
Take action today by (1) donating to abolish MMSD school meal debt, (2) signing the petition to the MMSD school board for free school lunch, and (3) joining the campaign by attending a campaign event or School Board meeting!
The Problem – Food Insecurity and School Meal Debt
Food insecurity is at record highs while families struggle to make ends under capitalism and cost of living increases. School Meal Debt in Madison Metropolitan School District is over $235,000 and students miss meals every day because they can’t afford to eat. School meal debt impacts every student because “uncollectible” debt periodically gets paid for by the MMSD Food and Nutrition Budget, which directly reduces the funding available to feed all students.
Demand – Free and Healthy School Meals for MMSD
Madison Area DSA believes that no student should ever have to worry about going hungry at school. That’s why we’re fighting along with Freedom, Inc. and our passionate community partners to ensure that all Madison area public school children (K-12th grade) receive free and healthy school meals!
The campaign has two goals:
1) Abolish the current school meal debt in MMSD by raising over $240,000 through a community mutual aid campaign sponsored by Freedom, Inc.
2) Convince the MMSD School Board to fund free school lunches for all students to create a systemic solution to school meal debt moving forward.
A Community Campaign
We can only achieve our goal by building a strong coalition of students, families, teachers, and community members! Join Urban Triage, the WI Poor People’s Campaign and the rest of our campaign partners by getting involved in the Free School Meals for Madison campaign today.
Step 1. Donate to Pay Off MMSD School Meal Debt
Contribute to our mutual aid campaign to provide direct relief to working families in the Madision Metropolitan School District who currently owe over $235,000 in school meal debt.
Together, we as a community can step up and pay off the current school meal debt while also advocating for systemic change. Contribute today!
Step 2. Support Universal School Lunch
Call on the MMSD School Board and Administration to Close the School Lunch Funding Gap in the 2024-2025 budget – by providing $2 million in funding to the Food and Nutrition Department to cover school lunch costs for families, ensuring free school meals for all!
MMSD must convert to a universal school meal funding system and invest in Food and Nutrition staff and equipment to prepare for an increase in food participation!
Step 3. Join the Campaign
Take action and advocate for Free School Meals for Madison by signing up to attend a campaign event. Talk to neighbors and help build community support at one our weekly Sunday afternoon canvasses or advocate at an upcoming School Board meeting. We hope to see you soon!
Nothing from September 7, 2024 to December 7, 2024.
Want to be a part of bringing positive change to your community? Join DSA and learn how you can make a difference.
Questions?
Contact madsa.schoolmeals@gmail.com.