As one of your constituents, I am asking that you vote YES on H3319, an important step in ensuring that South Carolina’s students are all receiving nutritious school meals. Lunch shaming singles out and stigmatizes students that don’t have lunch money, an unfair consequence for a child who can not control their financial state. These practices have been outlawed in states across the country. Lunch shaming is a practice that varies and persists in districts across the nation. Students that can not pay for their lunch are turned away, given a different or cold meal or even have their hands stamped - as a reminder to their parents to add money to their account. Thank you!

As one of your constituents, I am requesting that you support H3319 and help pass this legislation this year. Our children shouldn't be punished because of their parent's lack of ability to pay for their school meals. COVID-19 has been difficult on many families. Some schools have the following punitive measures for students with school meal debt: Cannot walk at graduation No recess Hand stamping No extracurricular activities Throwing food away Under this bill, students that are eligible for free and reduced lunch must be offered the same meal as other students and these meals must be offered regardless of if the student owes money for previous meals. Districts cannot penalize students for failing to pay for school lunches and the State Department of Education will develop and provide a model policy and template for school meal debt collection to each school district. Please vote YES on H3319 and for the children of South Carolina. Thank you.