Lunch It Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating school lunch debt and ensuring students can eat at school without shame, stigma, or interruption. We work in partnership with public schools to help pay down unpaid student lunch balances and support efforts that prevent future debt from accumulating.

Rather than providing individual meals directly, Lunch It Forward distributes funds through school nutrition departments and administrators, allowing schools to continue serving meals while protecting student and family privacy. Our approach is discreet, respectful, and centered on dignity.

Lunch It Forward’s founders do not receive compensation, allowing a greater portion of donated funds to be directed to schools. Through responsible partnerships and community support, we aim to reduce the financial burden school lunch debt places on students, families, and schools—so children can focus on learning, not hunger.

Donations go directly toward paying off student lunch balances, supporting partner schools, and raising awareness about food insecurity in education. All donations go directly to the school, not to individual students or families.

School lunch debt occurs when families cannot afford daily school meal costs, and unpaid balances accumulate on student accounts. This debt often impacts low-income and working-class families who don’t qualify for free meals.

We support students in public schools who have unpaid lunch balances or are at risk of accumulating lunch debt, especially those who fall just outside federal assistance guidelines. We do this by working directly with schools to pay off lunch debt.

When possible, yes. We prioritize transparency and community impact while respecting student privacy. If you would like to suggest a school for funding, please use the Contact form and drop us a note. We will do our best.

YES!!! We will work with you or your group to launch a Lunch it Forward campaign for your school. When donations are made we will provide your donors with a code to ensure all donations go to your school. Please contact us for more information.

Yes! At least nine states now have laws providing universal free school lunch and breakfast to all public school students. Thank you to California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York and Vermont. Let’s hope all the other states follow your lead!

We realize not everyone is in a space where they can donate monetarily. You can always help by spreading awareness, partnering with us or advocating for policies that support universal free school meals. Tag us or forward our posts - it’s free.

As much as possible! No one at Lunch it Forward takes a salary. The only costs are very minimal administrative and legals costs. We want every penny to go to paying off debt.

Lunch It Forward has applied for recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is awaiting determination from the Internal Revenue Service.

Call your Congressmen and ask them to support legislation that expands or makes permanent free school meals. Just say “I’m calling to urge you to support policies that ensure all children can eat lunch at school without stigma or debt. School meals are essential for learning, and no child should go hungry because of their family’s income.”

You can find out who your represenative is here:

👉https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

👉 https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm