American Legion gives $1K for Mustang lunch accounts

MUSTANG — Members of the American Legion presented a check to Mustang Public Schools for $1,000 to pay the lunch accounts of children whose families are facing financial difficulty.

Paul Ray, American Legion commander, asked Superintendent Sean McDaniel for some numbers on delinquent accounts and then took the suggestion to the executive committee, which passed the recommendation on to the American Legion membership.

“The membership voted to pay off what was delinquent and then add some just in case,” Ray said.

“It was just kind of a brainstorm, and everybody wanted to do it. The community of Mustang is good to us, so it truly gives us pleasure to give back.”

This isn’t the first time this year that a portion of the lunch accounts have been paid off. One grandfather with a grandson at Canyon Ridge Intermediate, Eric Moreau, has given just short of $1,000 in the last two years.

“I don’t have a lot of money, but then I don’t need a lot of money,” he said. “So I got them all paid current. It might make them feel better.”

McDaniel said the district is setting up a special activity account exclusively for people and organizations that want to help pay for children’s delinquent lunch accounts.

“This is a prime example of why Mustang is the community it is,” McDaniel said.

“People take care of our kids in countless ways. The American Legion and individuals like Mr. Moreau are seeing to their needs at the most basic level.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the account can contact Tammy Bales, child nutrition director, at balest@ mustangps.org, or Student Assistance Program Coordinator Kim Baker, at bakerk@ mustangps.org.