How Your Donations Erased $4,674 in Arizona School Meal Debt

Changing Lives in Cottonwood-Oak Creek Schools

In January 2025, Healthy Food Healthy Minds made headlines by paying off $4,674 in overdue meal debt for 353 students in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District. This was part of a joint effort with Sisterhood Connection Foundation, Pioneer Title Agency, and community donors that collectively wiped out a total of $6,872 in student meal charges.

The district expressed its gratitude publicly:

"Your generosity ensures that no child is left worrying about their lunch balance, allowing them to focus on what truly matters — learning, growing and thriving.”
— COCSD, quoted in Journalaz.com, Joseph K Giddens

Board president Lee Spencer shared the mission behind this donation:

"The mission of HFHM is to reduce the financial stress of families who carry school meal debt and to eliminate the possibility that a child might be shamed for being identified as being from a family that carries debt.”

Behind the scenes, COCSD nutrition manager Bethany Campista described the difference:

“This year, all kids eat for free. But in past years, almost my daily job was just collecting negative meal balances. [Now] I am able to focus on program integrity... and help out in other departments.”

More Than Just Numbers

Since eliminating meal debt, the number of breakfasts served in the district jumped from 6,492 in August 2023 to 14,100 in August 2024; lunches rose from 22,298 to 27,734 in the same time period. With meal debt no longer hanging over families, participation and student nutrition have both improved.

How You Can Help

Every donation goes directly to erasing meal debt for Arizona families. Healthy Food Healthy Minds is working to expand our support to more districts as the need arises. Visit our donation page or contact Lee Spencer at leehfhm@gmail.com for details.

References:
Based on Journalaz.com, Jan 2025, Joseph K Giddens
For details, see: [Donations wipe out COCSD's meal debt - Journalaz.com]