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Resident says he donated $10,000 to clear school meal debt, urges county to pursue support for family farms and student meals
Summary
At the Aug. 19 meeting resident Matt Sinn told commissioners he donated more than $10,000 to clear school meal debt for local students, urged families to apply for assistance, and asked elected officials to push for farm‑bill aid that benefits small, family farms.
Resident Matt Sinn addressed the Iredell County Board of Commissioners during public comments on Aug. 19, saying he donated more than $10,000 last school year to reduce public school meal debt and urging officials and residents to support family farms and student meal access.
Sinn, who identified his address as Winston‑Salem during the meeting, urged residents to contact national representatives so federal farm‑bill aid reaches “actual people that do the work” rather than large corporations. “Corporations don’t stay up taking care of sick animals,” Sinn said, arguing that family farms face different pressures in droughts and market downturns.
On school meals, Sinn said the school system must reimburse cafeterias for meals served to students who do not qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, which reduces funds for all students. He encouraged families who can pay to do so, and urged eligible families to take five to ten minutes to apply for federal assistance. Sinn said he is exploring a fundraiser to extend his donations and make them go further.
No board action was taken in response to the comments; commissioners thanked Sinn for his contribution and for raising the issue of school meal debt and family‑farm policy.
Ending note: Sinn’s remarks were part of the meeting’s public comment period, during which speakers are allotted three minutes and the board listens but does not engage in back‑and‑forth discussion unless it chooses to do so.
