Children should feel comfortable and supported within their school systems, and in spite of potentially lacking essential resources at home, they should be provided with necessities at school through governmental funding and school administrative efforts.

Some children come from lower socioeconomic status households and still attend school in a wealthier district. Regardless of the child’s family’s income, he or she should be treated identically to any other student in the school with potentially different monetary accessibility.

All children in a school system must have the same opportunities despite familial income, and many schools ensure that students at need are given lunches and potentially breakfast. The schools have records of their students’ rank in comparison to other students in the area, and they find the means to pay for meals.

While students who cannot afford to eat are being benefited by being offered meals through the school, some students feel embarrassed that they are in such a situation. Even young students are intelligent and are aware that they are different from other students who buy their lunches.

Students, such as Keith Payne, feel humiliated that their families are unstable and are incapable of sending them to school with a homemade lunch or money to purchase lunch. Some students may originally feel special and privileged to receive free lunches until learning from either their teachers, guidance counselors, families, or fellow peers that they are allotted this luxury due to disadvantages in their familial life.

Instead of children feeling awkward about unpreventable incidents that are results of the families they are born into, support groups for impoverished children should be formed. Children may feel more accepted and part of societal norm by knowing that other students undergo similar experiences.

Teachers, school officials, and community members must work at assisting children by allowing them to join a safe haven with people like them. in the spirit of the holiday season, be cognizant of those around you who may be unable to afford lunch. Be grateful for what you do have, and help others as you are able!