Anonymous donor helps settle Claremont School District’s $30K lunch program debt

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Stevens High School 2015
Stevens High School in Claremont, NH.

CLAREMONT, NH – An anonymous donor has contributed nearly $30,000 to the Claremont School District to pay down the money owed to the district’s school lunch program. The donor, like many people throughout New Hampshire, was moved by news of the financial struggles within the community and has stepped up with funding that will nearly erase the outstanding debt.

In October, the Claremont School Board discussed how to act on the more than $32,000 owed to the district’s food program. While the Board agreed debts below $20 should be forgiven, this still left a substantial sum to be settled, as well as raised concerns about the ability of many families to pay for their children’s school lunches. The anonymous donor came forward soon after this news was made public to cover a large portion of the debt, joined by many other members of the community who have made contributions.

“There are many generous people from Claremont who have supported the school district’s efforts to pay down our food service debt. To all of you, we thank you, and further, we appreciate your caring and generosity,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Keith Pfeifer. “We also greatly appreciate the lone donor who contributed $29,056.23 to reduce the food service debt. Your caring and good will is greatly appreciated by the Claremont School Board and Administration.”

School lunch programs provide thousands of children across New Hampshire with healthy meals at an affordable price, but unfortunately this cost is a struggle for some families. The policy held by many school districts, including Claremont, is not to deny children lunch, regardless of an outstanding balance. It is the belief of this donor that these parents should not be kept up at night worrying about funds owed for feeding their children at school.

The Claremont School Board planned to accept the donation at its Nov. 8 board meeting.

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Claremont School District