When Andrew Levy, a real estate agent in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, learned that over 400 kids in the Jupiter community did not have access to a full, school meal because of an outstanding lunch balance, he knew he had to take action. Levy, who does a majority of business in Jupiter, decided to pay off the lunch debt.
“Food is something that you shouldn’t have to think about. Children shouldn’t have to learn hungry,” Levy told CBS 12 News.
Levy, who has no children in the district and no connection to the schools, met with the district and paid the outstanding debt of $944.34 in all nine Jupiter area public schools.
After posting about his contributions on his Facebook profile, Levy inspired others to follow in his footsteps. His post received over 200 comments, most of which were by people asking how they could also help.
Although Levy’s act of kindness had stirred up interest in others throughout the community willing to help, a spokesperson for the district told CBS 12 that the total lunch debt for Palm Beach County students still stands at more than $51,000.
According to PEOPLE, Levy is determined to continue decreasing the outstanding balance by organizing a fundraiser in the community four times per year.
Levy told CBS 12, “Every quarter, I’m going to do either a GoFundMe page or a fundraising page that can raise money every quarter, so lunch debt never accumulates so that children never have to worry about a hot meal and parents never have to worry about paying the bill.”
