Local donors partner to pay off lunch balances in Georgetown ISD

Pictured: GISD Nutrition services staff including Kayla Mullins, receiving the check from Ryan O'Farrell. To Ryan's right are Anytime Fitness trainers Michael and Ahnna as well as The Refuge Pastor Jesse Lambert.

A simple idea sparked by one Georgetown parent has grown into a meaningful act of community support for students across Georgetown ISD.

Thanks to the generosity of parent Ryan O’Farrell, trainers and clients from Anytime Fitness - Williams Drive, and members of The Refuge Church, nearly $1,300 has been raised to help pay off outstanding student meal balances in Georgetown ISD through a project they called Initiative 25:35. 

O’Farrell initially set out to make a difference for families who may be feeling the pinch in their budgets.

“With inflation impacting so many households, I knew there were families in our community quietly carrying the weight of unpaid lunch balances,” O’Farrell said. “I wanted to do something practical that would directly support students. When others heard about the idea, they jumped in immediately. That’s what makes this community special.”

The effort quickly gained momentum at Anytime Fitness on Williams Drive, where O’Farrell works out.  

“We have always believed that our membership base is more than a community; It is a force for good,” said Anytime Fitness General Manager Ahnna Keys. “So I brought the story to our team and challenged them to find a meaningful way to help. The response was immediate and unanimous. We would step up.”

The concept was simple but powerful. Every dollar donated would equal one repetition of an exercise chosen by the donor. 

“Squats, push-ups, burpees, you name it,” said Keys. “With every repetition, we were not just building strength in the gym. We were building support for students in our own community.”

Members of The Refuge Church also stepped in to support the campaign, reinforcing the shared commitment to caring for Georgetown families.

“We believe in showing up for our community in practical ways,” said Jesse Lambert of The Refuge Church. “Helping relieve financial pressure for families, even in something as simple as a school lunch, reflects our heart to serve and support our neighbors.”

Community members who wish to contribute to student meal accounts in Georgetown ISD can contact the district’s Child Nutrition Department for more information.

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Initiative 25:35 refers to the biblical passage from Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food.”

Families can qualify for free or reduced lunch prices by completing the Free and Reduced Lunch application. 

Qualifying families can receive more than discounted meals for their students. The application helps determine Title 1 funding for public schools and can help students pay for fees associated with extracurricular activities, college admissions tests and applications, and more. 

The percentage of economically disadvantaged students in GISD is 43%.