School Lunch Debt Relief Grants
Applications for 2026 will open in Spring and will require documentation of school meal debt and a personal statement on why your school or district should be chosen.
Contest Timeline
From March 5 to 19, 2025, we'll be accepting applications from school districts across the country. Winners will be notified the week of April 1, 2025.
- Applications open March 5
- Applications close March 19
- Winners announced week of April 1
- Payments made in 2025
2025 Grab The Tab Submission Period Has Ended
We are incredibly grateful to all who have joined us in the mission to alleviate school lunch debt for students across the nation. This year's Grab The Tab School Lunch Debt Relief initiative has officially closed.
Congrats To The Recipients
We're thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 Grab the Tab School Lunch Debt Relief Grant. We are honored to be able to help pay down their school meal debts for this school year. No child should go hungry, and we are proud to be able to help where we can.
- School District U-46 (Elgin, IL)
- Columbia Elementary (West Jordan, UT)
- Hillsborough County Public Schools (Tampa, FL)
- (Tinker K-8, Randall Middle School, Newsome High School)
2025 Grab The Tab Winners
- School District U-46 (Elgin, IL)
- Columbia Elementary (West Jordan, UT)
- Hillsborough County Public Schools (Tampa, FL)
2024 Grab The Tab Winners
- Bergman School District (AR)
- Fairview Park City District (OH)
- North Bend High School (OR)
2023 Grab The Tab Winners
- Angleton Jr High & Angleton High School (TX)
- Belmont Career Center (OH)
- Bedford Public Schools (MI)
School Meals:
The Debt Challenge
According to the School Nutrition Association, schools in the United States have seen a significant increase in debt from unpaid meals over recent years. This growing challenge affects students, families, and schools across the country.
Here at Zee Zees and National Food Group, we thought - what can we do?
Let Zee Zees Grab The Tab
School Lunch Debt Relief Program
Through the Grab The Tab School Lunch Debt Relief Grant, Zee Zees and National Food Group are committed to helping schools pay down meal debt while also donating nutritious Zee Zees snacks to support students and their cafeterias. We’re dedicated to supporting communities by ensuring every child has access to healthy meals, regardless of financial circumstances. Together, we can help schools provide equitable and nutritious food options for all.
Let Zee Zees Grab The Tab
$100,000 In Grants For 2025
Did you know? According to the School Nutrition Association, schools in the United States saw an average increase of 25% in debt from unpaid meals in the last year.
Through the 2025 Grab The Tab School Lunch Debt Relief Grant, Zee Zees and National Food Group will be paying down school meal debt, plus donating Zee Zees snacks for each winner.
We’re here to help families across America who aren’t always able to pay for school lunch, and for their schools who are continuing to ensure they receive a nutritious meal no matter what.