After School Poor-Shames Students By Serving Only Sunbutter&J Sandwiches, Chobani Yogurt Founder Steps In And Pays $77,000 Lunch Debt

After School Poor-Shames Students By Serving Only Sunbutter&J Sandwiches, Chobani Yogurt Founder Steps In And Pays $77,000 Lunch Debt
Taylor Hill / Contributor / Getty Images

Chobani founder and CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya has made it his mission to use his $1.7 billion net worth to make the world a better place.

After hearing about a decision by the Warwick Public School District in Rhode Island to serve nothing but sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches to students with outstanding lunch bills, he decided to do something about it.

Many were outraged after hearing of the policy change and took matters into their own hands.

A GoFundMe was set up to raise the funds via crowdfunding.

Ulukaya, who has more than enough capital to cover it, simply stepped in and paid the debt—in full.

In a statement on Twitter, Ulukaya said:

"as a parent, news of #WarwickPublicSchools breaks my heart. every child should have access to natural, nutritious & delicious food, so @Chobani is doing our small part to help pay this debt"
"business must do its part.. our responsibility as members of community. who will join us?"

He expanded on this in a video clip.

"We'll take care of this school's bill, because everyone at Chobani was [heartbroken], and they're stepping up, and they're going to do something about it."
"But it's just small. We need everywhere, everywhere around the country, to eliminate this for all. Forever."

You can view that video statement below:

Chobani is also donating yogurt to the school district to further alleviate their food costs.

The Chobani Twitter page recently posted a call to action in support of the Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2019, which has been read by the Senate and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to prevent schools from passing policies that discriminate against students with outstanding lunch bills.

Many on Twitter were thankful for Ulukaya's donation, and his assertion that we need to do better.





Many also appreciated Chobani's support of the Anti-Lunch Shaming Act.




There were also many calls for all school meals to be free and there are districts throughout the country where that is the reality.

All children need good nutrition to learn and grow, and to be successful in school.

Shaming those whose parents are unable to pay their lunch bills is not the way to help students succeed.

Related Articles Around the Web
hamdi ulukaya

People Break Down Which Practices The United States Needs To Adopt From Other Countries

Woman making the shape of a heart with a stethoscope
Photo by Patty Brito on Unsplash

We can all agree that there is something to appreciate about every country in the world, but there are arguably some countries that appear to have their ducks more consistently and happily in a row than others.

While it would be easy to let pride get in the way and continue to do things the same way, the more productive thing would be to learn from the countries who have figured out a better way to do certain things, whether it's healthcare, food banks, or other services.

Keep reading...Show less
united states

People Reveal Which Universally-Loved Films They Absolutely Loathe

Movie Theater
Photo by Jake Hills on Unsplash

Every year, at the end of the Academy Awards, while the auditorium erupts in cheers upon the announcement of the Best Picture winner, as they are somewhat obligated to do, many viewers at home instead shake their heads and raise their eyebrows.

That's if they don't throw popcorn or worse at their TVs.

While those who did so when La La Land was announced as the winner in 2017 would end up getting their revenge in what remains one of the biggest blunders of Oscar history, others are still reeling at some past winners, which they believe were more worthy of a Razzie than an Oscar.

Taste being subjective, plenty of people still find themselves confused by some films which won countless awards, received across-the-board raves, and are considered classics or masterpieces, but they find to be utterly unbearable.

Often finding themselves in an unpopular minority and having to keep their opinion to themselves, similar to Seinfeild's Elaine Benes and her unique disdain for The English Patient.

Keep reading...Show less
movies

People Break Down The Biggest Design Flaws Of The Human Body

Photograph of an anatomy model
Photo by Alan Calvert on Unsplash

Everyone wishes there was something different about their body.

Smaller nose, longer legs, a different hair or eye color.

There are those, however, whose frustrations with their body are less personal, and more universal.

Finding themselves frustrated less with their own DNA, but with human anatomy in general.

Frustrated by how certain functions work the way they do, and feeling there could be significant improvements in other departments as well.

Keep reading...Show less
body

People Share The Absolute Worst Relationship Advice They've Ever Received

silhouette of hugging couple
Photo by Oziel Gómez on Unsplash

Relationships are hard, and sometimes, they're confusing. When you're having a problem with your partner, or you're inexperienced and looking for lessons, you turn to your friends and family for advice.

Sometimes, the advice is sound and helps make things better.

Other times, the advice is trash and makes everything worse.

Redditors know this all too well, and are sharing the worst relationship advice they've ever gotten.

Keep reading...Show less
relationship advice