School meal debt is rising in Hamilton County, leaving more families struggling to pay for their children’s breakfast and lunch.

Currently, the district reports over $30,000 in unpaid meal balances, impacting more than 1,500 families — a 35% increase from this time last year.

“When a family can't pay, or maybe a child forgot to bring their money, they're allowed to charge, and their account goes into the negative,” said Kristen Nauss, Hamilton County’s Director of School Nutrition.

47 Hamilton County schools provide free meals to all students through federal assistance programs. The remaining 21 schools require families to pay or apply for free or reduced-price meals.

As meal debt grows, local organizations are stepping up to help. One of those efforts comes from the nonprofit Be the C

See Full Page