Wash. first-grader denied lunch with no explanation

SNOHOMISH, Wash. — The only thing 7-year-old Xavier loves more than his math homework are his fruits and veggies.

But Xavier’s parents say they’re concerned because in mid-October, the first-grader was denied school lunch at Cascade View Elementary.

“It was a sack lunch. It was in a bag, she was passing it around to everybody. The lunch lady said, ‘Guess what, you can’t have a lunch.’ She said that. She said I can’t have a lunch,” Xavier said.

His dad, Eric, says Xavier is on the free lunch program. But instead of getting a meal, he says, Xavier was sent home with a grumbling tummy and a slip saying he had a negative lunch balance.

“My question was never answered as to why he was denied. I was very mad. I couldn’t believe it happened. It happened to me as a child and I could still feel that hurt and I can only imagine what he went through,” Eric said.

CNN contacted the Snohomish County School District and they say they’re looking into the situation. The school spokesperson says whenever a student’s account is negative $20 or more, the child gets a cheese sandwich and unlimited fruits and veggies from the salad bar, along with a drink.

Eric says this doesn’t apply to his son.

“We get funds from the state, food stamp wise, which means his balance should be covered,” Eric said.

He says he’s angry over how the school handled the situation and he’s concerned over how it’s affected Xavier.

Eric said it’s left such a bad taste in his mouth, he’s thinking of removing his children from the school.

“It made me feel really bad for him. That’s not right. That’s like saying, ‘Hey, you don’t have your book bag so you can’t have your education,’” Eric said.

“You can’t do that. Feed them. They need to eat. They need to concentrate. They can’t concentrate without eating. I just don’t want this to happen to any other kid. It’s hurtful.”