Free summer lunches feeding more kids locally and statewide (Dayton OH)

Dayton Daily News ^ | 18 Jun 2010 | Cornelius Frolik

[ridesthemiles]

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[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Yup. TANSTAAFL: There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch

[Oatka]

From the Comments section of that article, which, IMO, gets to the nub of the issue (emphasis mine):

Just a different perspective on this school lunch scam. When my children were small, I divorced my husband. The school came to me and wanted my kids on the school lunch program. I told them "no thanks, I can take care of my own kids", they were adament and kept after me because they have to have so many kids on it to make some quota to keep the program. I was making $32,000 a year and they gave my kids a lunch card anyway even after I told them no. It's a racket.

[laweeks]

“free summer meal programs. “

Free . . . really . . . Wow! . . . they came out of thin air????????

[Inspectorette]

I have a friend who works in an eye doctor's office. Drives her nuts to see Medicaid patients bringing in their little kids every few months for unnecessary eye exams. When she inquires as to why they bring them in so often, the reply is always, "Because it's free!".

She politely informs them that it may be "free" to them, but it's not free to the taxpayers. Lucky she still has her job.

And don't EVEN get me started on that old battleaxe folding laundry while squatting on her scooter, burbling, "I didn't pay a PENNY for my scooter..." Grrrr!!!!

[VeniVidiVici]

I wanted to look into free Summer lunches a little further and found this story about students AND parents taking advantage of a free school lunch program simply for convenience rather than need. And the school encourages it! Needless to say I'm .... not surprised? Summer Free Lunch Program Packing Them in at Washington School'
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This is the second year for the summer lunch program at Lincoln, and parent Kathy Dolan called it a godsend for busy parents. “Like we said, you don’t have to plan out your lunches or cook. You just come on over and get a decent lunch,” Dolan said. (all kids from anywhere are free. Parents pay $3.50)

[VeniVidiVici]

It's a racket.

See my post at #26.

[upchuck]

Agreed. There is absolutely nothing “free” about this lunch program or any other.