Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 used their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to pay off the lunch debts of students in 19 schools in East Hillsborough County. A child's report card or diploma can be held until those debts are paid. The unpaid lunch debt is not part of the free or reduced lunches. These debts are from lower middle-class families that are struggling.
Plant City Lodge member Shelly Lynch Carroll presents 19 checks to Hillsborough County Area Superintendent of Schools, Sharon Morrison, to pay off student lunch debts.