How to Help: Take a Bite Program

In a community where wealth often takes center stage, it can be easy to forget about those facing hardship. Some children in our area don’t have a reliable meal during the school day. The Franklin Special District (FSD) is addressing this issue through its Take A Bite program.

Launched in the spring of 2020, the Take A Bite program has become a critical support system for families who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The initiative ensures no student goes hungry due to a negative cafeteria account balance. Funds raised through the program cover these debts, ensuring every child receives a hot breakfast and lunch. As Robbin Cross, FSD’s Food & Culinary Services Supervisor, explains, "In Franklin Special District, our School Board and Director of Schools believe that paying for breakfast and lunch is an adult issue and not a student issue."

Over the past five years, the program has helped students avoid the distraction of meal debt, allowing them to focus on what matters most: learning.

Hidden in the details of this initiative is a story that hits home. Robbin shared with me, "We had a student at the beginning of the year whom the Principal knew was hungry and was not eating. The student qualified for reduced meal costs (.30 cents for breakfast and .40 for lunch). When asked why the student was not eating, the child replied, 'Mom told me not to eat; she can't afford the .30.' Of course, the Principal told the child not to worry about it and that the adults would take care of this. This type of story plays out all over our district every day."

She further explains, "While our Food and Culinary staff, District Social Workers and School Principals work as a team to make sure any student eligible for free and reduced meals turn in an application, we have many students who cannot afford the cost of school meals and are not qualified because their family income may be as little as $100.00 over the limit. The federal guidelines we follow require a family of four to make less than $40,560.00 to qualify for free meals."

Research shows, time and time again, that when children are hungry, their ability to focus in class declines. When students have access to healthy food, their cognitive function improves, test scores rise, attendance increases, and classroom behavior becomes more positive. This initiative isn’t just about food—it’s about giving every child a fair chance to succeed academically and socially.

Living in one of the wealthiest counties in the state can sometimes make it hard to see the struggles faced by those in need. It’s like the safety briefing on an airplane—taking care of ourselves first allows us to better help others. When we support our own community, we create a strong foundation that benefits everyone.

The Take A Bite program underscores that not everyone is immune to hardship, even in our prosperous community. Struggles remain beneath the surface, and this initiative shines a light on those needs. By coming together, we can help ensure that every child has the fuel they need to thrive.

JOIN THE EFFORT

Donate Online

Visit the district’s website and click the "DONATE NOW" link to contribute online.

Donate by Check

Mail a check made out to "FSD Food and Culinary Services" with "Lunch Debt Donation" in the memo field to: FSD Food and Culinary Services, 507 New Highway 96 West Franklin, TN 37064.

Transfer Funds

If your child has a positive account balance, you can transfer funds to help another student with a negative balance. Email Food and Culinary Services Operations Coordinator Marne Price at pricemar@fssd.org with your child's name and the amount you'd like to transfer.