Pocatello-Chubbuck School Lunch Debt Challenge Nears Finish Line in Idaho, With One Fundraiser Remaining
Community Campaign Surpasses Original $6,100 Goal, Approaches Double That Amount
POCATELLO, Idaho — A community-driven challenge to pay off student lunch debt in the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District is entering its final stretch, with organizers reporting that donations have far surpassed their original goal and one last fundraising event still ahead.
On March 29, two married couples — Jesse and Mary Baeza and Josh and Hailey Knowlton — launched a 30-day challenge calling on the Pocatello-Chubbuck community to collectively pay off $6,100 in school lunch debt. The response from local residents and businesses exceeded expectations, with the total raised climbing to approximately $11,000 — nearly double the amount organizers initially set out to collect.
“Every single penny that we’re raising, every single dollar, is going straight to school kids’ lunches, so the more we can do, the better,” Jesse Baeza said.
The final fundraising event of the challenge is scheduled for Friday evening at Off the Rails Brewing, located at 228 South Main Street in Pocatello, beginning at 6 p.m. Local artist Dawson Moon will perform live music at the event. Those interested in supporting the effort have the opportunity to contribute before the challenge officially closes.
District Confirms Lunch Debt Typically Ranges from $9,000 to $11,000 Annually
According to Courtney Fisher, spokesperson for Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25, the district’s lunch debt typically fluctuates between $9,000 and $11,000, with the figure peaking in December when the holiday season places added financial strain on families. Fisher noted in a March interview that the district has been closely watching the campaign’s progress.
“We’ve been really impressed by Jesse’s passion for this project and the way this group has brought our business community together to support SD25 and the youth we serve. It’s a great example of what it looks like when a community comes together to make sure every child feels supported,” Fisher said.
Hailey Knowlton acknowledged that even with the funds raised, the debt could return quickly given current economic pressures on Idaho families. “Everything is so expensive right now, and so I definitely think I can see how this adds up,” she said. The organizers view raising as much money as possible as critical to providing a meaningful financial cushion for the district.
“The longer that the debts are cleared and the bigger cushion that we have,” Jesse said of the importance of maximizing donations before the challenge ends.
One notable aspect of the campaign has been the organic involvement of local businesses. Hailey Knowlton said the team has not needed to do significant outreach — instead, businesses have approached them directly. “I don’t even feel like we’ve necessarily had to reach out. I feel like a lot of businesses have reached out to us,” she said. “Businesses have been willing to say, ‘Hey, what can we do to help?'”
On May 1, the four organizers plan to meet with Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 officials for a formal check presentation. The final donation amount has not yet been confirmed, pending the outcome of the remaining fundraiser.
Organizers Eye Future Efforts, Possible Nonprofit
With the challenge nearing completion, the two couples say they hope to make the effort an annual tradition and have held preliminary discussions about formalizing it as a nonprofit organization. For now, however, they remain focused on finishing strong.
“It’ll be something where we’ll sit down and really have a conversation about it. We definitely want to keep it going. We just want to go about it the right way so we can get the community involved,” Jesse said.
The campaign reflects a broader spirit of community investment in the well-being of children in Southeast Idaho — the kind of private, community-led response to a local need that avoids placing additional burdens on taxpayers while directly benefiting students in the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25, which has also seen recent leadership changes including the selection of a new principal for Century High School.
“It’s been a month full of gratitude and positive feedback for this, and we’re so grateful for everyone who stepped in,” Hailey said.
For more on education news and school district developments across Idaho, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage.
What Comes Next
The final fundraising event for the Pocatello-Chubbuck lunch debt challenge takes place Friday at Off the Rails Brewing, 228 South Main Street, starting at 6 p.m. On May 1, organizers Jesse and Mary Baeza and Josh and Hailey Knowlton will present a check to Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25. The final total will be confirmed following the conclusion of Friday’s event. Organizers plan to discuss the possibility of continuing the effort as an annual campaign or nonprofit in the weeks ahead.