Letter to the Editor: Feeding Hungry Children Is a Responsibility We Share

All students know that hunger affects learning. Most of you will soon be parents, teachers or taxpayers, and on Nov. 3, you as a student will have the chance to change how schools feed K-12 students in North Dakota for years.

Voting yes for Measure 2 is not only about giving every child access to food during school, but it also reflects Christian teachings about feeding the hungry, helping others and putting compassion into action.

Measure 2 would require public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch each school day to all students. While nonpublic and tribal schools have the option to participate, they are not required to. Free school meals are not new to North Dakota, as more than 47,000 K-12 students already receive free or reduced-price meals based on income. What would be new is making them free for everyone.

In the Bible, Jesus says in Matthew, when you feed the hungry, “you [are also] doing it to me.” As a Christian, I believe this is something Jesus calls us to put into action through this vote. In James, it teaches that simply wishing someone well when they are hungry is not enough; faith must be shown through actions that help others in need.

If the measure passes, students would have access to free school breakfast and lunch starting in the 2027-28 school year. This would reduce the financial burden on families and eliminate the stigma associated with meal assistance. If the measure fails, the existing school meal assistance for low-income families will continue.

Much of the criticism of the measure comes from the belief that it costs too much. The estimated increase is $124.30 to $134.30 million per two-year budget period.

I agree that this is a reasonable concern because public money should be used responsibly. However, I believe the benefits of helping children meet a basic need justify the expense because their well-being should be an important priority.

Supporting this measure does not mean you have to be Christian; the policy addresses children’s nutritional needs regardless of religion. Faith can inform your vote, but it does not have to be a religious test for everyone.

As NDSU students, we have the opportunity to put our values into action and help shape North Dakota's future. Jesus calls Christians to serve others, not just through words but through works.

On Nov. 3, you can make a difference by voting yes to help create a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.