GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Some Grandview School District students will go into the winter break with a zero dollar balance on their lunch accounts.
On Monday, the Grandview School District stated a Secret Santa paid more than $1,100 to the district for Grandview Middle School. The amount settled every student’s lunch account at the school.
On Tuesday, 41 Action News talked with this Secret Santa: Kelly Weinberger, a teacher at Grandview Middle School.
“They know that when they're with me, they're safe, they're loved and they're fed. Always,” Weinberger said.
The reason why she did it. Her answer was simple.
“I had to. I'm with these kids every day and it was in my heart to give to my students. I saw some of them kind of struggle with some things and I was able to give and to be able to give to my kids and my students and give back to a community that's given so much to me. I am so grateful to be here,” Weinberger said. “I'm an ordinary person following my heart.”
An ordinary person who is giving back in extraordinary ways.
“I started helping one child on lunch balances,” Weinberger said. “And then I thought, it's Christmas! Let's do it for all!”
“She has a gracious heart and just really loves the school, loves the community, loves the kids and wants to do anything she can to help out,” Grandview Superintendent, Kenny Rodrequez said.
There was also another Secret Santa donation to Conn-West Elementary School for $200, according to the district.
Rodrequez says he’s thankful for the Grandview faculty, staff and community that are impacting students.
A local organization that wants to remain anonymous donated more than $1,000 to pay up student lunch accounts at Belvidere and Butcher-Greene Elementary Schools.
