Virginia pastors give over $17,000 to pay student meal debts

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

STAFFORD, Va. (AP) — The holidays came early for some Virginia families struggling to pay school lunch debt.

Three Virginia pastors used more than $17,000 from their church’s budget to pay off meal debt at two local school systems.

“It seemed like a good idea, (but) we didn’t know if there was a need because no one ever seems to talk about this,” said the Rev. Jerry Williams, a pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church. “So we called the school systems. And gosh, wow, was there a need.”

Williams, the Rev. Brian Bennett and the Rev. Andrew Segre gave $10,500 to Stafford County Public Schools and close to $7,000 to Spotsylvania County Public Schools, which wiped out balances across the district, news outlets reported.

Read more: https://apnews.com/bb5433f129497882ac640bcd1ae925af

[ArizonaLib]

1. Lunches should be free of charge to all grade school students

This is a good story, but it also reminds me that minimum wage should be a living wage and public schools should be funded well enough to provide fully nutritious lunches to students.

[LuvNewcastle]

9. I agree.

[ArizonaLib]

10. Thanks!

Merry Festivus!!!

[LuvNewcastle]

12. Same to you.

[rzemanfl]

2. It isn't like it was their money. n/t

[SouthernIrish]

4. No . It is not theirs.

In light of that, it was a very good thing that they did. They didn't spend it on private jets or new Mercedes. They did something for some people in need. Imho, that is what churches do. Help others. Plain and simple.

Two weeks ago, a local business paid off the school lunch fees for all county schools for the rest of the year. It makes me remember that there are still good people out there helping others.

[rzemanfl]

5. There are a lot of churches where the money gets spent on private jets and

fancy cars. Schoolkids needing charity to afford lunches is just wrong.

[TomSlick]

6. You are correct. The fact that school kids need charity is just wrong.

The fact that Christians responded to that need with charity is just right.

[underpants]

3. ✝️

[Skittles]

7. they didn't know there was a need?

they need to get out more

[packman]

8. Should be part of their everyday mission

Something about feeding the poor - and they should have done it anonymously . In addition, you can bet a dollar or two that they will write it off and some of their taxes (if any).
Sorry, I have a very low opinion of pastors not recognizing one of the fundamental teaching of Christian faith - caring for a child in need.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[ArizonaLib]

11. Yes - they could lobby for minimum wage increases to living wage

I hope they start with their own support staff in their offices, etc.

[raccoon]

13. Nice to hear about these men instead of vindictive, hateful religious whack jobs. Nt