Our Pillars
Mission Statement
The Open Lunch Project removes barriers to learning by eliminating student school lunch debt and expanding equitable access to nutritious meals. Through partnerships with schools, communities, and donors, we ensure every child can learn, grow, and belong without the burden of hunger or stigma.
Vision Statement
We envision a future where every student has equitable access to nutritious school meals and no child experiences hunger, stigma, or hardship because of an unpaid lunch balance. Every student deserves a seat at the table—and a full tray. We believe that nourishing children is an investment in their health, education, and future. When students have reliable access to nutritious meals, they are better equipped to learn, grow, build meaningful relationships, and realize their full potential. By removing barriers to school meals, we create opportunities for children to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. We aspire to communities where schools, families, donors, and local partners work together to ensure that no child is left behind because of food insecurity. Through compassion, collaboration, and equitable access, we seek to build sustainable systems of support that meet immediate needs while strengthening the well-being of students and their families.
Our Goals
Serving Communities
Strong communities are built when schools, families, businesses, and neighbors work together to meet the needs of every child. We collaborate with local partners to eliminate outstanding school lunch balances, mobilize community support, and create meaningful opportunities for giving back. By strengthening these connections, we help ensure that students receive the nutrition they need while fostering a culture of compassion, shared responsibility, and collective impact.
Nurturing Mind and Body
A nutritious meal does more than satisfy hunger—it supports learning, confidence, and overall well-being. By removing financial barriers to school meals, we help students arrive in the classroom ready to focus, participate, and thrive. Every full tray represents an opportunity for healthier development, stronger academic engagement, and the dignity every child deserves throughout their school day.
Sustaining Futures
Ending lunch debt is not just about addressing today's need—it's about creating lasting opportunities for tomorrow. We invest in sustainable solutions by building partnerships, expanding community awareness, and supporting programs that strengthen food security for students and their families. Through long-term collaboration and continued advocacy, we work toward a future where no child's education is interrupted by hunger or financial hardship.
Letter from the President
I founded The Open Lunch Project because growing up, I saw firsthand what it meant to rely on free and reduced lunch. I know that a school meal can be more than food, and often is. It can be comfort, stability, and dignity during a child’s day. It breaks my heart that so many students and families still face the stress of unpaid lunch balances and food insecurity at large. The OLP exists to support these exact needs.