Dine With Dignity 

In the upcoming school year (FY2026), Dine with Dignity seeks to raise $500,000 to settle a fraction of the more than $1.3M unpaid meal debt accrued by MCPS students since 2022.

Specifically, MCPSEF fundraises to address debt accrued by students while their families wait for approval to receive free meals through FARMS because we believe food security is critical for learning and students should be able to each meals without shame or stress of financial burdens.

Background:

In 2018, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Maryland Cares for Kids Act.  When fully funded in 2025, the Act will reimburse Maryland Boards of Education for all meals provided through the Free And Reduced-priced Meals System. 

At its May 10, 2022 meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) approved Policy JPH, School Food and Nutritional Services Programs, which does not allow alternative meals to be served to students with accrued meal debt. Payment of the debt will be sought from the parents/guardians.

In response to the legislation, the MCPS Educational Foundation established the Dine with Dignity Fund to settle unpaid school meal balances, particularly focusing on supporting families who demonstrated financial need. 

To learn more about school debts by school, review this spreadsheet.

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OR donate on your cell phone by texting DINE to 301-329-2238