'Humbling, Breathtaking': Girl, 10, Pays Off School Lunch Debt In Days

NEW LENOX, IL — Fifth grader Aria Jandeska got her Christmas wish, a few days early.

The 10-year-old with New Lenox roots handed over a giant check to her new Wilmington school on Friday—$5,929 raised to pay off the school's lunch debt. And she did it in just days.

Aria told her mom Shauna Jandeska on Monday that instead of a Christmas gift, she'd like her mom to put that money toward the lunch debt accrued by families at her school, L.J. Stevens Intermediate. She's been there just two years, after moving from New Lenox in 2021.

As she's gotten to know her school and the children there, she's also begun to understand that some among her might be more in need than others, particularly when it comes to school lunches. Her mother was touched by her daughter's generosity and set up methods to donate via PayPal, Venmo and Zelle.

Within hours, $500 raised. Within two days, $2,500. And five days from when she started, her request had inspired enough donations to wipe out the debt entirely.

"It has been an absolute honor to know that there are so many wonderful people in the community that joined forces with us to take on this substantial debt," said Jandeska.

"It has been so wonderful to watch as so many families have reached out thanking us for helping them because they are the ones struggling."

Those who donated—and the recipients of her efforts—weren't the only ones moved by Aria's idea.

A school district in Coal City District 1 contacted Jandeska to say they'd carried on her mission at their schools, seeking to clear the lunch debt of two of its schools, $6,000 in total. Jandeska was thrilled to learn Thursday that they had accomplished that goal.

Jandeska said donations have continued, and that they've been asked to continue the effort over to the lunch debts of high school seniors and eighth graders. Eighth graders, she said, have their diplomas withheld if their lunch debts aren't paid.

"... Since donations have continued to come in, that's exactly what we will try to do," Jandeska said.

Donations can still be made via PayPal, Venmo or by Zelle using number 815-545-9714. She added that Aria has been nominated to Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz to receive the Super Citizen Award.

"It's just breathtaking," Jandeska said, "and definitely made me cry.

"To see her at 10 years old be the change she wants to see, it’s just humbling! It’s a reminder to myself and everyone that there are still amazing people in the world, both young and old."