From Your Neighbors

Free and Reduced Meal eligibility doesn't carry over, families must reapply every school year, and most Georgia districts open applications in July. Here's why timing matters, what you'll need to apply, and why completing this form helps your school's nutrition program too. If you're not sure whether you qualify, it's worth applying anyway, the form is free, and every completed application makes a real difference.

A social media pledge drive to pay off school lunch debt sparked an idea: what if that generosity could be channeled through a 501(c)3, giving donors a tax receipt while keeping individual student accounts anonymous? Two years later, after life got in the way more than once, that idea became Neighbors for Schools, Inc. Here's the story of how an informal act of kindness became a structured way to help Metro Atlanta schools and families.

Starting in 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 if filing jointly) in cash donations even without itemizing. Here's what the new rule means for donors, what records to keep, and how giving to Neighbors for Schools may now offer a tax benefit.

What really happens when a student's meal account hits zero? Some districts serve an alternate meal; others serve the regular meal to avoid singling kids out, but either way, the unpaid balance remains. That debt often gets settled with the school itself, pulling funds away from programs and operational support meant for all students. Here's what families should know, and how completing the Free and Reduced Meal application each year can help avoid this situation altogether.