Lunch Lady Tells First Grader ‘You Can’t Have A Lunch’

How could anyone look into a hungry child’s face and deliberately deny him food? That is exactly what happened to 7-year-old Xavier, a first-grader at Cascade View Elementary. This little boy from Snohomish, Washington went home from school without having had any food all day, much to the dismay of his father, Eric, according to Fox 8 News.

Because he is on the free lunch program, Xavier should have gotten a meal. But rather than feeding him, the school sent home a child with a tummy growling from hunger pangs and a note stating that he had a “negative lunch balance,” as reported by KFOR. Xavier explained what happened to his Daddy.

“It was a sack lunch. It was in a bag. She was passing it around to everybody. The lunch lady said, ‘Guess what? You can’t have a lunch.’ She said that. She said I can’t have a lunch.”

Xavier’s dad, Eric, was furious at his son having been denied a lunch and having to go through the entire school day hungry. He contacted the school for answers, but has yet to get an answer to his satisfaction, as reported by Fox 8 News.

“My question was never answered as to why he was denied. I was very mad. I couldn’t believe it happened. It happened to me as a child and I could still feel that hurt and I can only imagine what he went through.”

Although the Snohomish County School District is investigating Xavier’s situation, their school spokesperson stated that “whenever a student’s account is negative $20 or more, the child gets a cheese sandwich and unlimited fruits and veggies from the salad bar, along with a drink,” as revealed by Fox 8 News.

Eric said that scenario does not apply to Xavier.

“We get funds from the state, food stamp wise, which means his balance should be covered.”

Xavier’s dad is not going to let this go lightly. He is persistent in wanting answers. He doesn’t want to have to worry that his child is at school and not getting fed his lunch when he is supposed to. And he worries about other children, as well.

“They need to eat. They need to concentrate. They can’t concentrate without eating. I just don’t want this to happen to any other kid. It’s hurtful.”

This incident has caused Eric to be concerned for how this may have affected Xavier, and is seriously considering removing his children from the school.

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