Fauquier Education Foundation and Fauquier County Public Schools Launch Innovative Partnership to Address School Meal Debt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Contact: Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire
703-407-3984
Warrenton, VA— The Fauquier Education Foundation (FEF) and Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS1) are proud to announce a new partnership to provide direct financial assistance to families struggling with student meal debt. This collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind program in Virginia, and potentially the country, designed to help families who don't qualify for free and reduced-price meals but are still facing financial hardships.
The initiative was born out of a shared need to assist families with extraordinary circumstances—such as job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or other unforeseen challenges—that prevent them from paying for their children’s school meals. Because the FCPS School Nutrition Department is federally funded, it is unable to use its operational funds to pay off student meal debt. This new partnership with the Fauquier Education Foundation provides a crucial solution.
“This program fills a critical gap we've seen for years,” said FCPS School Nutrition Director, SueAnn Fox. “We are required to feed every child, and we do, happily, without question. But when meal debt accrues, we are not permitted to use our federal funds to pay this debt. This new partnership with the Foundation allows us to accept private donations and use them to directly support those who need a little extra help.”
The program features a custom-built online application process, which is accessible under the Grants tab of the Foundation’s website. The simple application uses a unique algorithm to help determine need based on various factors, including the family's financial situation, special circumstances, amount of meal debt, and the available funds. While the algorithm provides a fair starting point, each application is reviewed with a human touch to consider personal stories and situations.
“Our goal was to create a fair and transparent system that ensures the funds are disbursed in the most equitable way possible,” Fox added. “The application process allows us to verify the information and make informed decisions. It's not about paying off the entire debt for everyone, but about providing a meaningful lifeline to families who are struggling.”
Donations to the program can be made directly on the Fauquier Education Foundation’s website and earmarked specifically for this initiative. Funds will be disbursed twice a year, ensuring a wide and fair distribution based on the money available and the number of qualified applicants. Once a family's application is approved, the funds will be applied directly to their meal debt.
The current student meal debt in Fauquier County Public Schools is approximately $100,000 and fluctuates daily. While the School Nutrition department receives occasional donations from community partners like Giant, churches, and individual community members, these funds are often insufficient to meet the growing need. This partnership provides a dedicated and scalable solution to a persistent problem.
This initiative is a testament to the community's commitment to ensuring every child has access to a nutritious meal, regardless of their family’s financial situation. It also protects the school system's operating budget from having to cover uncollectable meal debt, allowing those funds to be used for educational purposes like field trips, playground equipment, and teacher resources.
The Fauquier Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to its mission of initiating, magnifying, and sustaining unique educational opportunities within Fauquier County Public Schools. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Visit fauquiereducationfoundation.org.
The initiative was born out of a shared need to assist families with extraordinary circumstances—such as job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or other unforeseen challenges—that prevent them from paying for their children’s school meals. Because the FCPS School Nutrition Department is federally funded, it is unable to use its operational funds to pay off student meal debt. This new partnership with the Fauquier Education Foundation provides a crucial solution.
“This program fills a critical gap we've seen for years,” said FCPS School Nutrition Director, SueAnn Fox. “We are required to feed every child, and we do, happily, without question. But when meal debt accrues, we are not permitted to use our federal funds to pay this debt. This new partnership with the Foundation allows us to accept private donations and use them to directly support those who need a little extra help.”
The program features a custom-built online application process, which is accessible under the Grants tab of the Foundation’s website. The simple application uses a unique algorithm to help determine need based on various factors, including the family's financial situation, special circumstances, amount of meal debt, and the available funds. While the algorithm provides a fair starting point, each application is reviewed with a human touch to consider personal stories and situations.
“Our goal was to create a fair and transparent system that ensures the funds are disbursed in the most equitable way possible,” Fox added. “The application process allows us to verify the information and make informed decisions. It's not about paying off the entire debt for everyone, but about providing a meaningful lifeline to families who are struggling.”
Donations to the program can be made directly on the Fauquier Education Foundation’s website and earmarked specifically for this initiative. Funds will be disbursed twice a year, ensuring a wide and fair distribution based on the money available and the number of qualified applicants. Once a family's application is approved, the funds will be applied directly to their meal debt.
The current student meal debt in Fauquier County Public Schools is approximately $100,000 and fluctuates daily. While the School Nutrition department receives occasional donations from community partners like Giant, churches, and individual community members, these funds are often insufficient to meet the growing need. This partnership provides a dedicated and scalable solution to a persistent problem.
This initiative is a testament to the community's commitment to ensuring every child has access to a nutritious meal, regardless of their family’s financial situation. It also protects the school system's operating budget from having to cover uncollectable meal debt, allowing those funds to be used for educational purposes like field trips, playground equipment, and teacher resources.
The Fauquier Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to its mission of initiating, magnifying, and sustaining unique educational opportunities within Fauquier County Public Schools. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Visit fauquiereducationfoundation.org.
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Fauquier Education Foundation
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Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire Executive Director
- September 03, 2025
- (703) 407-3984
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