The man who helped erase $21,000 in owed school lunch accounts in the Newton school district is working on a long term nationwide solution to the school lunch deficit problem. Rick Vernon says his long term vision is to organize a large non-profit that would use money from the public and corporations to delete all food debt, and direct money to class academics directly. The longtime Newton Cardinal was recognized during this week’s school board meeting. Vernon told the community he would match any donation towards the Newton’s deficit lunch accounts from August 9th through the 23rd. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger told the school board enough money was raised in just a few days to cover the entire deficit. 

“We do want to extend a special thank you to Rick Vernon for organizing the challenge.The community rose to the challenge and every donation was greatly appreciated no matter the size. We did stop the challenge one week early as we paid off the entire negative balance of $21,464,93 a week ahead of when it was set to close.”

Superintendent Messenger says Vernon’s challenge drew significant attention to the school lunch deficit issue that schools everywhere are facing, and to the community.

“Community support for our students has gained local, state, and national attention through the media coverage the challenge received. It’s definitely great to show off the tremendous amount of community support that exists here for our students.”

 

According to Vernon, the government or income and property tax increases are not needed to solve all local school’s problems.