By Trish Svoboda/Image courtesy Canva

A group of Wichita State University business students has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay off unpaid school lunch balances for students in Wichita’s USD 259 school district. The fundraiser, Help Pay Off School Lunch Balances, was organized by students Kaitlyn Batchelor and Katherine Celarie as part of a community service project.

So far, the campaign has raised more than $11,600 of its $13,000 goal, with 155 donors contributing. According to the organizers, over 3,000 students in USD 259 have accumulated lunch debt, which can create stress for families and make it harder for students to focus in class.

The students hope the funds will relieve this burden and give families peace of mind. Unpaid lunch debt is a growing problem nationwide, and similar crowdfunding efforts are helping schools in other communities. To donate or learn more, visit the campaign on GoFundMe here.