
Settle
the
Debt,
a
partner
of
SPARK,
the
education
foundation
for
PWCS,
recently
donated
$45,600
to
pay
off
the
student
meal
debts
at
24
schools
in
the
Division,
bringing
the
total
amount
donated
to
nearly
$150,000.
Adelle
Settle,
founder
of
Settle
the
Debt
and
Prince
William
County
resident,
said
she
first
learned
of
the
existence
of
student
meal
debt
in
2017,
inspiring
her
to
make
a
positive
difference.
"I
have
worked
since
then
to
advocate
for
more
equitable
and
kind
nutrition
policies,
both
at
the
local
and
state
level,"
she
said.
"Our
nonprofit,
Settle
the
Debt,
became
a
501c3
last
fall
in
order
to
advance
our
mission
to
end
lunch
debt
in
Virginia
public
schools.
To
date,
we
have
paid
off
nearly
$150,000
in
Prince
William
County
school
meal
debt."
"I
am
reminded
often
how
special
our
Prince
William
community
is,"
Adam
Russo,
director
of
school
food
and
nutrition
services
for
PWCS,
said
about
the
donation.
"Today
I
am
blown
away
by
the
kindness
of
our
neighbors,
especially
in
these
uncertain
economic
times.
For
Settle
the
Debt
to
raise
nearly
$150,000,
it
is
an
amazing
contribution
to
our
families,
and
I
am
truly
thankful."
"I
am
so
proud
of
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
for
leading
the
way
in
ending
alternative
meals
and
setting
fair
nutrition
policies
that
ensure
that
no
child
goes
hungry
in
our
schools,
regardless
of
their
financial
circumstances,"
Settle
added.
"I
am
passionate
about
ending
childhood
hunger,
and
I
am
grateful
to
have
such
a
strong
partner
in
PWCS
as
we
work
together
to
help
shape
better
nutrition
policies
across
the
commonwealth."
Settle
said
the
organization
donated
more
than
$50,000
last
December
and
January
to
ensure
students
returning
from
the
winter
break
started
the
calendar
year
without
any
meal
debt.
If
you
are
interested
in
donating
to
help
settle
meal
debt,
check
out
the
Settle
the
Debt
website.