Lunch Lady Fined $600 for Giving Free Lunches to Kids Unless She Closes Down
A lunch lady could be fined for running a free lunch program in the Toby Farms community of Chester Township.
Angela Prattis has been carrying out the free program for weeks and as many as 60 children are reported to have received a free sandwich, fruit and milk each day. The free program has been funded by the state department of education and administered by the archdiocese of Philadelphia.
However, recently Prattis received an official letter telling her she needs a variance to run the program in the residential area, and that she was breaking the law. She was then ordered to shut down the free food program or be fined $600.
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"It's a letter stating, 'shut it down or face a $600 fine,'" said Prattis, according to NBC.
Anne Ayella of the Archdiocese has told NBC: "Apparently the township has said there was one more hurdle that she had to jump from their point of view. But from our point of view she's done everything right."
Prattis added, "We're talking about children. Children. It's unbelievable. They've never once said anything to me in reference to what to do to be in the right standing with the township."
Prattis is zoned in a residential area and so needs a variance to offer free lunches. The lunch lady can now apply for a variance, but it would cost her $1,000 just to put in the application.
