FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A local woman in Forsyth County, Alessandra Ferrara-Miller, is making significant strides in tackling school lunch debt for thousands of children across Georgia.
Inspired by a heart-wrenching story of a child marked for inability to pay for lunch, Ferrara-Miller founded the nonprofit organization "All for Lunch+" with the ambitious goal of eliminating lunch debt for students not only in Georgia but across the entire United States.
Ferrara-Miller, who started this initiative in 2017, recently achieved a milestone by paying off the lunch balances for a group of middle schoolers in Gwinnett County.
Her organization relies solely on donations, and she emphasizes the importance of ensuring that families don't have to worry about paying off lunch debt, especially during the holiday season.
"Especially during this season, we really like to give back. Families shouldn't have to be worrying about paying off the lunch debt for their kids. They can worry about creating these moments and giving the kids opportunities during the holidays," Ferrara-Miller stated.
The All for Lunch+ program has already made a significant impact, alleviating lunch debts in Cobb, Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Ferrara-Miller actively reaches out to schools and nutrition directors to identify areas where her organization can help.
"We don't want them to have to stress or worry about the prices and having access to meals. They just want to get their lunch," Ferrara-Miller emphasized.
The program focuses on ensuring that children have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and enjoy their childhood without the burden of hunger. Ferrara-Miller is determined to expand her efforts, particularly targeting higher-grade levels in addition to elementary schools.
"We recently had Barrow County. We were out in Harris County. So, being from Georgia, it's really important to me to impact our local community and make sure the kids in our area can focus on being a kid and not much debt," Ferrara-Miller explained.
With school lunch costs as low as $2.50 in some counties, Ferrara-Miller believes that small donations can make a significant difference in ensuring that no child goes hungry during school hours. Her plans for the coming year include expanding outreach to other states and increasing support for higher grade levels.
Every initiative undertaken by Ferrara-Miller is powered by donations, and she has created specific fundraising pages to allow people to contribute to certain districts.
As she continues her mission to eradicate school lunch debt, she remains committed to providing a healthy and fulfilling childhood for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
For more information on how to support her cause, visit the All For Lunch website.