Many Students In The U.S. Are Dealing With Lunch Debt

As students start going back to school, many parents are facing the burden of paying off school lunch debts due to the pandemic.

Back to school stirs up a lot of emotion for kids and parents alike — excitement, nervousness and in some cases renewed stress over costs. It's something newly single mom Summerlin Ruthenborg feels weekly. 

"It's been tight. And, you know, going from a two income household," said Ruthenborg. 

Parents like Ruthenborg haven't had to budget the cost of food at school for two years. School meals have been free for all public school students in the U.S. because of the pandemic but this year, that's over. And combined with the squeeze of inflation the pressure to afford school meals can be overwhelming.