Man raises money to pay off lunch debts at alma mater, other schools in district [Video]

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) – Some school districts in Iowa are reporting thousands of dollars in unpaid lunch accounts.

With the first day of school approaching, one man is calling on others to help pay off lunch debts, just like he did in his community.

School lunch is considered a learning necessity.

“When students are fed, they perform better in the classroom,” childhood nutritionist Kaitlyn Scheuermann said.

So, even when a child can’t pay, schools in central Iowa feed them, but the deficit in dollars unpaid is adding up.

That’s where Rick Vernon stepped up.

“I called the superintendent of schools, Tom Messinger, discussed this with him, and he said it was definitely a problem,” Vernon described.

The Newton Schools alumnus found out the problem at his alma mater district added up to more than $21,000 in unpaid meals.

Learning that inspired him to spearhead a challenge.

“I offer my help to do a community challenge, to match all donations that come in to pay off the deficit,” Vernon said.

Dollar …