Utah drivers now have a new option to help students facing unpaid school meal balances through a specialty license plate. The Utah Lunch Debt Relief Foundation has launched the "Feed Utah Kids" plate, directing $30 from each annual registration renewal and initial purchase toward paying off school lunch debt statewide.
The blue-and-white plate became available this month through the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles. The approval process for the specialty plate took approximately 18 months, according to DJ Bracken, founder and executive director of the Utah Lunch Debt Relief Foundation. Bracken noted that for most people, renewing vehicle registration is an annual routine, and the new plate offers a clear way for drivers to contribute to a critical cause. Each new plate costs $53.75, with $30 of that sum allocated directly to school lunch debt relief, while the remaining amount covers DMV fees, shipping, and registration costs.
Utah schools carried $3.8 million in unpaid lunch debt last year, as reported by FOX13. Bracken stated that many people are surprised by the significant size of this problem. He emphasized that the children affected are members of local communities, attending schools with neighbors' children. The foundation, created in 2024, has already paid off lunch debt at more than 80 schools across Utah since its inception.
Bracken explained that fundraising for schools one by one can be challenging, making the specialty plate an appealing, long-term solution. The foundation views the plate as a simple and sustained method for Utahns to support families struggling to keep up with school meal expenses. He estimates that if 5,000 specialty plates are purchased, it could generate around $150,000 annually. This amount would be sufficient to cover the average lunch debt at roughly 70 schools.
Before the official launch, more than 500 Utahns had already expressed interest in acquiring the plate, and orders are currently being processed. Drivers who purchase the new plate can anticipate its arrival within two to four weeks. The idea for the specialty plate was partly inspired by Utah's well-known black-and-white specialty plates, with a friend suggesting a similar approach to raise money for school lunch debt.
Bracken highlighted that many people are eager to help, and this plate offers a visible way to do so. The primary goal is to establish a consistent funding source to assist students whose families fall behind on meal payments. Bracken shared a story about a 9-year-old girl who refused to get lunch and cried in the lunchroom due to her family's lunch debt. He commented on such situations, stating, "9-year-olds should not think about debt." The "Feed Utah Kids" plate is available for cars, trucks, and trailers, and can also be personalized. Drivers interested in purchasing one can find instructions on how to order online.