APS providing dinner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is going. I am a disabled single mom, and this will be incredibly helpful for my family.

Are you on SNAP? If so, a judge has ordered that it continue.

Ah but the funds are not being disbursed. It’s a waiting game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disgusting waste of taxpayer funds!

I…can’t think of anything I’d rather do with my taxpayer funds than feed people who need it in my community.

Agree, but I guarantee most of it will just be thrown away.

How can you guarantee that? Pleases explain based on how many meals will be prepared, how many are attending and the plans for the food afterward.

Because they did this during Covid and the food they gave out was digesting and old and ratty. People didn’t take advance of the program.

yes, yes they did.

Some yes, I was one of them so I know how much food will be wasted if they do it again.

[Anonymous]

Read the announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should not be an issue that APS is dealing with. This should be handled by the county at the community level, food available at community centers. They don’t need to cook them dinner; it’s cheaper to provide groceries and way more flexible for their needs of the vast majority.

Schools focus is now as a social welfare function rather than education, and most students suffer for it — it should be handled elsewhere.

This is the part I object to—that it comes out of the school budget. And then when the budget falls short for education, other agencies don’t step up and offer help.

It’s great that the schools are meeting this need. And it makes sense in that schools, with a a kitchen and a cafeteria, are in most communities and are easily accessible by families. But the food cost should not come out of the school budget.

We actually don't know that this will come out of the school budget, it could be grant funded or reimbursed from the county.

[Anonymous]

For all you wonderful big hearted socially conscious folks:
Why are they running a restaurant instead of handing out food?
Why are they making people eat it there instead of making it tongo?
Is it more or less stigmatizing to sit in a cafeteria eating instead of getting food parcels?
Will ICE be watching the comings and goings and making a list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should not be an issue that APS is dealing with. This should be handled by the county at the community level, food available at community centers. They don’t need to cook them dinner; it’s cheaper to provide groceries and way more flexible for their needs of the vast majority.

Schools focus is now as a social welfare function rather than education, and most students suffer for it — it should be handled elsewhere.

This is the part I object to—that it comes out of the school budget. And then when the budget falls short for education, other agencies don’t step up and offer help.

It’s great that the schools are meeting this need. And it makes sense in that schools, with a a kitchen and a cafeteria, are in most communities and are easily accessible by families. But the food cost should not come out of the school budget.

They found money for the dumb cell phone pouches that the kids just put burner phones in. Huge waste. Feeding hungry kids is a much better use of funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all you wonderful big hearted socially conscious folks:
Why are they running a restaurant instead of handing out food?
Why are they making people eat it there instead of making it tongo?
Is it more or less stigmatizing to sit in a cafeteria eating instead of getting food parcels?
Will ICE be watching the comings and goings and making a list?

Doesn't ICE already have lists of everyone? I thought that was what DOGE was doing when it downloaded all the info from the various agencies.

[Anonymous]

I am proud to live in a county that is doing this. We should be helping those in our community who are in need.

[Anonymous]

If you ever got the idea that the biggest jerks post in this forum because they can do it anonymously, this is proof. Feeding people is good. Decent people don’t debate this.

[Anonymous]

It's pretty frustrating that APS saw falling math scores across the board and made a decision to watch and wait, but can mobilize for this immediately. Why aren't we addressing education, the core mission of schools, with the same energy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do wonder about the choice of congregate dining over food parcels. But the unhoused or latchkey kids may benefit more I guess.

It’s much more efficient.

[Anonymous]

Don’t get your panties in a twist. This is a short term thing.

Offering it at the 3 high schools is more efficient and minimizes waste compared to running more programs through other schools.

A huge portion of the community is impacted. Feds aren’t getting paid and SNAP recipients aren’t getting benefits. No shame in showing up a for hot meal with your neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't understand. I want to feed MORE people in those dinners at the high schools, like a family consisting of married GS-9s who live in Arlington and are furloughed and don't have children. Why not them, too?

Save your snark and think about it. Why do they get sent off to "soup kitchens" or more likely are deemed less worthy than if they had kids?

huh? this is a soup kitchen. another soup kitchen. they also said they won't turn people away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all you wonderful big hearted socially conscious folks:
Why are they running a restaurant instead of handing out food?
Why are they making people eat it there instead of making it tongo?
Is it more or less stigmatizing to sit in a cafeteria eating instead of getting food parcels?
Will ICE be watching the comings and goings and making a list?

Why not just wave fees or other expenses for families? How about including federal families?

If there are no questions asked and everyone is welcome, why pay from APS funds? Anyone and everyone will show up from DC to Maryland, just like they already do at our schools. No documentation needed! We will pay for it all here in Arlington!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all you wonderful big hearted socially conscious folks:
Why are they running a restaurant instead of handing out food?
Why are they making people eat it there instead of making it tongo?
Is it more or less stigmatizing to sit in a cafeteria eating instead of getting food parcels?
Will ICE be watching the comings and goings and making a list?

Why not just wave fees or other expenses for families? How about including federal families?

If there are no questions asked and everyone is welcome, why pay from APS funds? Anyone and everyone will show up from DC to Maryland, just like they already do at our schools. No documentation needed! We will pay for it all here in Arlington!

You make no sense.

A federal Family will be turned away but a Maryland family is allowed?

APS should wave $500 a month for extended day per family instead of making a spaghetti dinner for a few nights?

I support APS using my tax dollars for a few nights of meals to families that show up.