We learned this week of the school districts in the area serving free breakfast and lunch to children. "What a great idea!!" was the reaction I gave. At least for lunches, its a perfect way for me to get the girls a good lunch and save a few dollars while we are in this unemployment phase. So we went yesterday after our swimming lessons and the girls had lunch at the local high school. It wasn't much, and each plate probably only cost a little over a dollar of food, but the girls were fed and happy and it was surprisingly food they liked!
Now, I write this, one to recommend it to anyone looking for a little money saving this summer, and two because I was just reading some comments posted on the website listing the schools that are participating. Wow did it make my blood boil! Every one of them, it felt like they were casting stones. Probably every one of them employed and living in a cushy home, never having to think about penny pinching. It just brought to mind the story in the Bible where Jesus states to the crowd, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone".
Each comment complaining that THEY were paying for these LAZY children's parents to eat, and that the parents are ALL probably already on welfare assistance already where again THEY are paying for them to get more groceries than they need so why aren't the parents home making lunch and breakfast for their children since THEY have already paid for them to have groceries!! One comment after the other saying things like this!! Now, I admit the welfare program in this country could use a bit of help, it is very far from perfect. But I saw a girl I know, and know the family situation of, walking home yesterday from the high school, where I'm sure she was getting herself lunch because her parents were recently divorced and both are working. Who knows if she would have gotten a meal that afternoon if it weren't for this program. And who knows how many families are simply in our situation of not knowing when the next paycheck will be and just wanting to save some pennies and get their children some food.
Casting stones, that's all I have to say. Don't cast a stone about something until you have felt that desperation yourself, unless you yourself understand from ALL angles. Anyway, I just needed to vent about this because I for one am thankful for just the little help this gives to our family and many others this summer to save a dollar.
If you are interested and live in the East Valley, check out this website for a list of schools participating: Free School Lunches
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2 comments:
That, needless to say, is why I'm a Democrat. I'm glad programs like this are available!
They do breakfast too. We used to go all the time to Mesa Jr./Lowell Elem right off of Broadway and Solomon. They usually have both cafeterias open. It's great I know! Wish they had something like that up here in Orem. We are feeling the economic squeeze also. Hope you don't mind me peeking at your blog. Best wishes to you and your family. :)
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