Osseo Area Schools ISD 279: Philando Castile Relief Foundation Donates $25,000 To Support Families With Meal Debt

Press release from the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279:

November 8, 2021

Thank you to the Philando Castile Relief Foundation for its support of Osseo Area Schools scholars and families! On Friday, Nov. 5, Valerie Castile and other members of Philando Castile’s family visited Palmer Lake Elementary School to donate $25,000 to District 279. The gift will be used to support families that attend schools in Brooklyn Park and have outstanding meal debt from previous school years.

This year and last, breakfast and lunch have been provided free of charge to all students thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In previous school years, however, many families that missed the financial cutoff to receive free or reduced-price meals had to make difficult financial choices regarding their mortgage, rent, utilities, and other expenditures. Donations like the Philando Castile Relief Foundation's help families focus on other important financial needs and lessen the stress of a negative meal fund balance.

"We as a district know the importance of a well-balanced diet and the positive impact on learning that comes from having a breakfast and lunch during the school day," says Director of Nutrition Services Jeff Ansorge. "Partnerships and donations such as the Philando Castile Relief Foundation gift are integral in helping to support our students and families in need."

This press release was produced by the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279. The views expressed here are the author’s own.