Join the Movement
WE ARE opening access, closing lunch debt, and feeding futures. Join us !
Ways To Partner
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Your contribution helps advance our mission to eliminate student school lunch debt and expand equitable access to nutritious meals. Financial support strengthens our ability to build partnerships, develop initiatives, and work toward a future in which every child can learn and grow without the burden of hunger or school meal debt. Every contribution helps move this mission forward.
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Help The Open Lunch Project build relationships with the schools, community organizations, local leaders, and advocates working to improve access to nutritious school meals. Introductions to people and organizations who share our mission can help us identify community needs, develop meaningful partnerships, and expand our impact. If you know someone who should be part of this conversation, we would welcome an introduction.
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Stay informed about The Open Lunch Project’s mission, initiatives, partnerships, and progress. Education is central to how we serve communities, build shared understanding, and create lasting impact. By learning about the challenges surrounding school meal access and the work underway to address them, you can help strengthen awareness, align communities around OLP’s mission, and advance meaningful change. Subscribe to follow our work and discover new opportunities to get involved.
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We believe lasting progress requires collaboration among schools, nonprofits, businesses, community organizations, donors, and advocates. The Open Lunch Project welcomes partnerships with individuals and organizations interested in addressing school lunch debt and improving equitable access to nutritious meals. Whether you have an established initiative, resources to share, or an idea for working together, we would welcome the opportunity to explore how our efforts can align.
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The Open Lunch Project welcomes subject-matter experts who are committed to our mission and interested in helping shape the organization’s future. We offer opportunities to contribute through board positions and advisory positions, depending on organizational needs, professional expertise, and areas of specialization. We seek individuals who can bring relevant knowledge, strategic perspective, and meaningful experience to our work.
To express your interest, email us through the Connect page linked below. We welcome a CV or résumé, a cover letter outlining your interest in OLP, and an impact statement describing the expertise, perspective, and contributions you hope to bring, whenever possible. Our team will review your materials and reach out regarding next steps. The selection process will include an interview, followed by a board vote for prospective new board members. We value informed leadership, diverse expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing our mission.
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Contribute your time, skills, and experience to help The Open Lunch Project turn its mission into action. Volunteers may support research, community outreach, communications, fundraising, partnership development, and other organizational initiatives. Whether you bring professional expertise or simply a willingness to help, we welcome people who want to make a meaningful contribution to a more equitable school meal system. Reach out through our Connect page to share your interests and explore how you might get involved.
Make True Impact Today
When you give, you invest in progress, compassion, and a better world for everyone.
The Value of Your Support
Where Your Support Goes
Every contribution helps create equitable access to nutritious school meals while building stronger communities. Donations primarily fund the elimination of outstanding K–12 student lunch debt, with future support expanding to community meal initiatives, nutrition education, outreach programs, and partnerships that strengthen food security. A small portion of donations may be used for essential administrative and operating expenses that allow The Open Lunch Project to serve students responsibly and sustainably. Our founders and Board currently serve without salaries, ensuring resources remain focused on advancing our mission.
Ways You Can Make a Difference
There are many ways to support our mission beyond making a donation. Individuals can become recurring monthly donors, volunteer their time, serve on our growing Board of Directors, or connect businesses and organizations interested in corporate sponsorships. Beginning in Winter 2027, schools and districts will also have opportunities for sponsorship. Community members may also participate through workplace giving, in-store donation campaigns, or by making a pledge through one of our Board members.
Transparency & Accountability
The Open Lunch Project was founded in February 2026 by Yael Perez and Mia Brandon with a commitment to transparency, responsible stewardship, and measurable impact. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we operate under established bylaws and governance policies designed to protect our mission, our donors, and the communities we serve. We are committed to maintaining ethical financial practices, complying with applicable federal and Virginia nonprofit regulations, and providing accountability as we continue to grow.
Tax Information
The Open Lunch Project is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors who contribute online will automatically receive a receipt for their records. For questions regarding individual tax situations, we encourage donors to consult a qualified tax professional.
Building Strong Partnerships
Meaningful change happens through collaboration. We are actively building relationships with schools, school divisions, grocery stores, restaurants, food distributors, local businesses, community organizations, and other partners who share our belief that no child should face hunger at school. Together, these partnerships will expand our reach and strengthen long-term solutions for students and families.
