This ticks me off ( school lunch related )

[Mskanga]

For once their own child is the one who tells other kids, that's how they know. No need to report though, eventually they will get caught.
And with or without my job, I still have to pay for lunches. I consider myself lucky to be able to pay for them.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

After reading some of these posts I really feel guilty because my DD gets free lunch. I was honest on the application and while it doesn't look like we struggle, we do. The military does not pay that much as it is not local economy based. I mean everything costs way more up here than it does down south and we get paid based on rank, not how many kids you have (which might be a good thing) or where you live. I use most of our income to pay bills and pay off debt we got into when first married. I do have some extra money after all the bills that I could use to pay for Remy's lunch, but then she wouldn't be able to have a birthday or Christmas. Or ballet which only runs us 28.00 a month. How do you decide between allowing your children a little childhood enjoyment or taking away what little they get for one more bill? We move so much and she only gets a "part time" dad due to the USAF that I choose to let her have a few extras that we really can't afford. I really am not being flip about this, I am just curious.

 

[Mskanga]

Remy, as I said before I am glad that the program is in place for those who truly need it , so if you need it you shouldn't feel guilty, that's what those programs are for, help to those who honestly and really need it, and your case seems to be one of them. I'm glad that you get the help.

 

[missyc]

But according to some, your daughter shouldn't have ANY luxuries, or "expensive" food (Remember the food stamps to buy steak thread?).
Don't feel guilty. You have no reason to.
And I personally think it's a disgrace that families of our service men aren't better off financially. You deserve free luches, food stamps, etc. Without guilt or embarrassment.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Originally posted by missyc
What's the big hang up about a CONVERSION VAN?

That's what I want to know. It's not like the guy is driving a Jaguar or BMW.

Maybe he needs the van for his work? The man certainly needs some kind of a vehicle. And regardless, what he drives doesn't have anything to do with whether or not his family is eligible for free school lunches. I'm pretty sure it's based on their annual income and that they had to provide copies of their income tax returns to qualify.

The fact of the matter is that there will always be people who find a way to cheap the system. It stinks, but better to have a few cheaters than not providing any help for those who really need it.

 

[shortbun]

The guy obviously knows how to make the system work for
him. There's a "system" to everything. Most cruise lines give
a tour conductor cabin/1 free for 15 to any organized group.
If this man is say maybe organizing a group from his church and
doing all the leg work with the cruise line, he may be taking
advantage of that. Used cars can be cheap, could be someone
he knows is his mechanic or another church member gets everyone good deals. Church people take care of each other.
Sounds like your neighbor is a candidate for that kind of
church family. I see it all the time. People barter, they take
almost no profit, they give each other free services. It's all
legal and the IRS even has forms for it. Don't worry about what
your neighbor is doing, it'll eat you alive.
Half our school qualifies for free lunch. Probably more now
that we have lots more NCLB students. It ain't no big thing!

 

[frndshpcptn]

What is a conversion van?

 

[Beauty]

My son goes to a private school and they don't offer reduced lunches but I would look at it this way,

As long as the child is eating then thats whats important. Maybe they are cheating the system, maybe they aren't but at least the child is getting a nutritional meal.

There are plenty of people around who can afford this and that but when it comes to their children they are cheap and "forget" to give them lunch money or what have you..........I would just be thankful the child can eat and let God deal with the sins of the parents.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by frndshpcptn
What is a conversion van?

Most are older as they aren't that popular anymore....full sized van that the regular seats were taken out and all captain's seats put in-sometimes the top is higher, sometimes a small tv put in. The guy probably got it as a good deal as they are sorta outdated nowadays.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Thanks, JayBee!

 

[klmklm]

yes, it's possible they legitimately need the help.

it's also possible that they are scamming the system. if they are, doesn't that take away money that could be used to help other people? why shouldn't people get upset if that is happening?

 

[gottaluvPluto]

People should care about the system being robbed. It costs us more when people scam! Schools should ask for proof of income when it comes to reduce/free lunch. I do not mind helping people who truly need help.

 

[arminnie]

I hate to hear about people cheating - not because I'm that concerned about a dollar - but because they are teaching their children to try to get something for nothing rather than to work hard for what they want.

When I was in school a million years ago the school lunch was 25 cents. We were extremely poor and there was NO way that I could ever get a "bought" lunch. I do remember that some kids did get free lunches, but my parents were either too proud or too uninformed to get them for my brother and I. Funny how I can still remember 50 years later how elusive that 25 cents was.

We had those tuna on white bread sandwiches too. My mother could make a can of tuna last all week for all of our lunches. I was ok with that - when my mother was in school she had to take a biscuit with mustard for her lunch. That little dab of tuna was a step up for us.

For every person cheating the system there's probably someone else who needs it but doesn't know how to work the system.

 

[Pin Wizard]

It's 80 cents for breakfast? Wow! I can't feed my son at home for 80 cents! Well over that.

DS is in a private school also so no discounted lunch. At his former school in FL, lunch cost $3.50! I don't think it's quite so bad here. Looks like we'll be packing lots of PBJs this year.

 

[crazelion]

I don't know about your city in Chattanooga. The city of Chattanooga auction cars, trucks, vans and house for cheap that had be seized.

I know someone that just bought a 2003 car that had very little miles on it for 200.00 dollars and runs great.

Free lunch program everyone I knew in school was on the program because we all poor. As matter of fact we was what called Title One School because everyone was on government help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'll bet he squeezes five in a room, doesn't pay for his three year old and uses that old refillable mug, too.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
It's 80 cents for breakfast? Wow! I can't feed my son at home for 80 cents!

Hmmm.....A dozen eggs cost less than a dollar, so two scrambled eggs and a piece of toast from a $1.50 loaf would cost about 25-30 cents.

 

[syncer55]

School lunch programs are great if you are too busy or in too much of a hurry to make their meals at home.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

syncer55 School lunch programs are great if you are too busy or in too much of a hurry to make their meals at home.

Or if your kids eat their packed lunch on the WAY to school like mine did. It took a week before the school called to tell me Remy had nothing to eat at lunch! No more packed lunch for her.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Also, could your daughter be mistaken?

This was my first thought too. You are taking the word of your dd who heard it from someone else. You know how schoolyard rumors are and also how kids exaggerate. It's possible she (Desiree) said it for attention or something and you are all worked up over something thats not even occuring. At the same time if she is on school assistance for lunches, you just can't worry about it. 1) it's not your business too, and 2) as many others have said you just don't know the whole situation. It is frustrating to see people scam the system, but I have to believe that there are far more people who the system is benefiting then people who are taking advantage. If i were concerned about this situation at all it would be more for the example these people are setting for their child, then on any possible benefit its bringing to them.