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SJM 320 School Lunches - FINAL - Reg4_Pages 3 / 18 / 20 5 : 15 PM Page 5 T H E S C H O O L L U N C H D E B T C O N T R O V E R S Y Ravitz says his father has been inundated pening in my community . Cherry Hill is with false accusations . “ We were angry . not the only school district grappling with The board of education administration this issue , with many others throughout told the media that my dad never made a the state struggling with this very same formal offer , and anyone that knows him problem , ” says Lampitt . “ This unfortunate knows that when he commits to something situation has made it clear that action is he keeps that word . No one’s ever questioned needed at the state level to provide addi - dation’s secretary while also filling the role him before , they never have had reason . tional clarity and guidelines to school dis - as deputy mayor of Voorhees , and he’s “ No good deed goes unpunished . That’s tricts to ensure that no child is forced to go seen firsthand the effects of food insecurity . what happened to my dad . He was just hungry during the school day . ” “ I was on the school board for the Cam - trying to solve a problem they should have The first piece of legislation , A - 5902 , den County Technical School , and that’s solved in the first place . My dad worked wouldrequire New Jersey schools to increase when I learned that there are kids all over hard his whole life , he doesn’t deserve to availability for the free or reduced meal the area that only eat at school , ” Ravitz have his name slandered and dismissed program , while also prohibiting retribution says . “ My kids go to school in Voorhees in his retirement , ” says Ravitz . forunpaid debts and banning debt shaming . and I know it happens there . We see it . ” The second , A - 5903 , requires school districts Ravitz and the family claim that after to establish “ school meal funds ” that would his father offered to clear the debt , he was Making a Meal Plan cover unpaid meal debts . met with resistance . “ There were so many The next step in this saga goes all the way The school meal fund would also make different excuses about why there couldn’t to the State House . it mandatory to accept donations made to be donations , ” says Ravitz . Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt of clear debts in schools ; donations like Steve Theschool board said that they reached the 6th Legislative District , covering parts Ravitz’s . out to the Ravitz Family Foundation in a of Burlington and Camden counties , joined “ We’re happy that Pamela Lampitt in - public statement from Dr . Meloche issued several other Democrats within the As - troduced legislation ; we applaud their to South Jersey Magazine by the district . sembly in introducing two pieces of legis - efforts and support it , ” Ravitz says . “ It’s “ The district was made aware of a local lation to curb the issue at the start of 2020 . very commendable that Assemblywoman businessman’s apparent offer to address “ The issue of students being denied Lampitt took the ball and ran with it . Her the issue of unpaid meal charges . The schoollunch and shamed for unpaid school heart is in the right place . ” district reached out to that business , and meal balances has made nationwide news Both policies passed almost unani - has not yet received any response , ” the in the past , but I never imagined that it mously in Assembly at the end of the statement reads . would happen here in New Jersey and I January 2020 session but stalled after that . Since that statement was released , was even more saddened to see it hap - SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 16 issue 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 58 |

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SJM 320 School Lunches - FINAL - Reg4_Pages 3 / 4 / 20 12 : 32 PM Page 6 It was re - introduced for the upcoming session and will move onto the full state Assembly before moving onto the Senate for a final vote . “ I hope that with the guidance of this legislation , we will underscore our state’s commitment to feeding every student , ” says Lampitt . “ Last session , Speaker [ Craig ] Coughlin doubled down on this priority by allocating state funding to provide free school meals to all stu - dents participating in the Reduced Price School Meal program . It is important that our school districts also stand with us in our commitment to feeding every student . ” Additionally , in late January , Gov . Phil Murphy signed a bill that appro - priates $ 4.5 million in funds to cover the student cost of reduced - price break - fast and lunch meals served to public school students who are deemed eligible . Effective July 1 , all students determined to be eligible will receive the meals at no cost . What’s Left Over While the state prepares for a future of lunch legislation , Cherry Hill Township remains resolute in its decision , while stressing that students and parents are given a variety of opportunities to clear their debts . “ The practice that guides unpaid meal charges has never and will never affect students who qualify for free or reduced - price meals , ” Dr . Meloche said in the board’s public statement . “ It is our greatest hope and our primary goal that , with the increased outreach to all families in arrears , we would never reach the point of revoking privileges from any student . ” Cvetkovic sees an end to lunch debts in schools as a way to promote what she loves about the township . “ The diversity and multiculturalism within Cherry Hill make it an interesting and robust place to live and a culturally rich place within to raise children . As a community Cherry Hill citizens need to advocate for all our children and all those children need to be treated with dignity . ” For Jason Ravitz , it’s a bit more simple than that . “ There are hungry kids in these schools . It shouldn’t happen . It can’t keep happening , ” he says , stressing that he wants to see Cherry Hill find a solid solution to this problem . “ They should just focus on doing their jobs , so that people like my father don’t have to solve their problems . ” n – Peter Proko contributed to this story SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE VOLUME 16 ISSUE 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 59

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