I am not sure how it happened but we received a letter from our school district, telling us that your daughter (my younger one), is approved for the free meal program at her school.
The letter came as a surprise, because we never applied for her to be enrolled, and also alhamdulillah we never needed to. We respect such programs and believe that they are designed for struggling families and it’s not a lottery ticket. It might be part of school budget as a district policy, but I don’t think that any kid of her school would qualify anyways.
Our kids do their breakfast at home and take lunch from home too, but at least two times, Sara wanted a muffin and then a yogurt (my wife was with her), and cafeteria refused to take money, in fact told my wife that if you are approved then take advantage of that.
We don’t want to stop Sara from getting some item from cafeteria as she is not good in completing her breakfast at home. But my wife and I don’t feel comfortable getting it for free.
I know I know, but it’s bothering me at so many different levels. What if there really was a kid who could not qualify because my daughter finished the quota?
Re: your kid is accidentally enrolled in free meal program
If it were I. My husband and I would totally lose sleep over it and wouldn’t want it for free, probably will try to get my child un-approved. (if that’s even possible?)
I will feel this way because there are others more deserving of this than my own child.
But if nothing can be done, at the end of the day, you didn’t do this so don’t beat yourself up for it.
p.s: Perhaps look into the school food/donation bank and donate items monthly? whatever is set-up thru the school?
Re: your kid is accidentally enrolled in free meal program
I would remove my child and allow some needy person to take advantage of it.
My child would have to learn that she has to eat what and when we give to her (i.e. eat breakfast on time or wait until lunch to have something).
Yes…harsh.
If it’s true that there probably are no kids “missing out” in your child’s school then go ahead and let her have it. Just do what RG said…donate regularly to a food bank on her behalf.
your kid is accidentally enrolled in free meal program
I worked at a public school for 2 years as the director of child nutrition and my sole job was to manage the free breakfast/lunch program. He only way to get the benefits is to a) fill out the federal income based application or b) if the family is enrolled or SNAP/TANF and gets food stamps, the child’s name is placed on a Direct Certification list which is sent and updated to the districts child nutrition department.
It sounds to me like the letter that was sent to was a clerical error. It’s happened to me in my school before.
I would just contact them and let them know a mistake has been made, because they could be claiming your daughter in their reimbursement reports every month.
Same, they don’t even know my salary. Alhamdulillah I think I am in a pretty high income bracket. I don’t even know why I am offended, at least I can’t express that without sounding like a politically incorrect person.
Khatti, you are right, it’s definitely a clerical error. I know we have to approach the school office to get it fixed. My question is it not such s big deal like Same is saying or is it
your kid is accidentally enrolled in free meal program
I totally disagree with Same, because I know the flip side of it…the administrative side and it is a big deal if a clerical error has been made.
If audited, the school can get in big trouble if try can’t produce back proof or an application to verify the child’s status as free/reduced.
And yea, it would bother the heck out of me. I had 3 kids in less than two years, and my husbands single income supported us..after the twins were born prematurely, our family could have qualified for WIC, to help out with diapers and milk and formula for three children, but we never even thought to avail it. I cut off my cable television and high speed Internet instead .
Re: your kid is accidentally enrolled in free meal program
khattichic has a point.. if it’s a clerical error, you need to report it because school can get in trouble when audited! and yes there is a quota for free meals, I used to inspect school cafterias and had to write down all this information for various reasons and numbers make a big difference!
On a side note, I dont know why you are so offended, it’s just an error and can be resolved with a phone call or visit to the school..no big deal!
