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Student ambassadors and community groups press for free school meals in district presentation
Summary
A School Meals For All coalition representative and two student ambassadors described a statewide program and local ambassador activities, urging support for no‑cost breakfast and lunch and recruiting student advocates.
At the Oct. 14 Edgecomb County Public Schools board meeting, Chester Williams, representing a coalition described in the record as School M for All and Better Chester Community, presented a student ambassador program that trains young people to advocate for free breakfast and lunch in public schools.
Williams said the program recruits students ages roughly 13–24, provides training on policy and leadership, pays participating ambassadors and connects them with statewide networks. "One in five children in North Carolina go hungry every day," Williams told the board, and he urged the district to support student voices and the statewide push for no‑cost meals for all public-school students.
Two students from Southwest Edgecall High School joined the presentation and described hands‑on activities the ambassadors undertake, including nutrition workshops and a recent retreat and cooking workshop. Williams said about 25 students were participating across the state and invited district students to sign up as ambassadors.
Board members asked about workshop attendance and how the program would partner with schools; presenters said recruitment has taken place at the school level, that the program offers Spark‑style hands‑on training and that ambassadors receive coaching on how to speak to school nutrition directors and community stakeholders.
The presentation did not result in a board action. Board members thanked the presenters and invited continued collaboration.
