In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a lunch worker in Idaho was let go just days before Christmas for offering a $1.70 meal to a famished student. This compassionate act by Mary Thompson, a dedicated employee at a local middle school, has sparked outrage and conversations about the treatment of students in need.
Thompson, a breast cancer survivor who has dedicated three years to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District, was beloved by the students. “I really enjoyed my job, and the students appreciated my efforts,” she shared with the Idaho State Gazette. However, when a girl approached her, clearly hungry and unable to pay for her lunch, Thompson felt compelled to help. “I know I broke the rules, but when a child says they’re hungry, what are you supposed to do? I just handed her the tray,” Thompson explained.
Initially placed on unpaid leave, Thompson later received a termination letter citing “theft” for serving food without payment. The district’s Superintendent stated there are protocols for students who lack funds, including notifying parents when lunch balances dip below $11. After that, students typically receive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of a hot meal. Thompson recounted witnessing other lunch staff take trays from children who reached that limit, discarding them right in front of them.
Ironically, it turned out that the girl Thompson fed was within her balance limit and could have charged her meal. But, feeling embarrassed and unsure, she didn’t ask. This raises a troubling question about the policies in place that penalize hungry students rather than supporting them. The Superintendent insists that no child is denied lunch, yet a dedicated worker has lost her job over a misunderstanding involving a mere $1.70—a decision that seems utterly misguided.
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In summary, Mary Thompson’s termination for giving a meal to a hungry student highlights a flawed system that prioritizes rules over compassion. It’s a reminder that sometimes, breaking the rules for a good cause is the right thing to do.