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Brenda Erdahl, Annandale Advocate

The minutes before the bell signifying the start of lunch can be a grueling wait for a hungry teenager who has just been subjected to four hours of learning.

The resulting mad rush to the cafeteria once the bell sounds is a daily occurrence at Annandale High School.

But not every student is running to get in line. Some won't be eating because there is no money in their lunch account to pay for it.

That's why the folks at Edina Realty, led by Jim Splinter and his wife, Marilyn, created the Angel Fund.

The fund is a backup for food service to dip into when a student comes through the lunch line, tray in hand, only to find their account is empty.

It's noted as being taken care of courtesy of the Angel Fund, and the student goes on his or her way like any other kid in line.

It's a discrete way to feed every student who walks through the door.

"Generally we don't turn any student away, but we'll only allow them to build such a deficit before we talk to them and their family," said Steve Niklaus, superintendent at the Annandale School District.

"It (the Angel Fund) is meant to be a bridge for kids whose families are struggling."

Ideally no student would ever be without money in their lunch account. The federal free or reduced lunch program is meant to help those who might otherwise slip through the cracks. But not all families take advantage of the government's helping hand.

Some parents don't apply due to pride or lack of time, others are waiting for their applications to be processed, and some are only experiencing short-term difficulties so don't feel the need to apply, Niklaus said.

Splinter had seen this situation before, in the Buffalo School District where his wife is the director of food service.

She created the Angel Fund there and has been amazed not only by its success but by the generosity it has sparked in the community.

"I remember a couple years ago, her telling me with tears in her eye about someone who added an extra $200 to their kid's lunch check for the Angel Fund," Splinter said.

"I know $200 may not seem like a big deal, but for a person who doesn't have $1.25 to eat lunch that day, it's pretty neat."

Edina Realty has a long-standing tradition of supporting causes that help families enduring economic difficulties through the Edina Realty Foundation.

Each office has its own fundraiser and its own cause to give the money to. Every time a realtor makes a sale, part of the closing costs are donated to the foundation, Splinter said.

Whatever amount is raised, Edina Realty will match it. Then the local group votes on which cause to donate the money to.

For the last two years, the people at the Edina Realty Annandale office have decided too put their donation into the Angel Fund account.

"We vote every year where our meager amount of money will go," Splinter said. "It's always a heartfelt decision."

Last year they donated around $600 to the fund, and last month they donated $650 more.

That provided needy youths at Annandale Middle School and Bendix Elementary with a daily meal all school year, Niklaus said.

This year, high school students will also benefit from the Angel Fund.

According to Niklaus, 471 students eat lunch at Bendix and 66 eat breakfast. At AMS, 431 use the lunch program and 23 take advantage of the school's breakfast. The high school doesn't serve breakfast but 481 students eat lunch.

At the elementary and middle schools, 19 to 20 percent of students are on free or reduced lunch. The percentage is lower at the high school, 15 percent, because fewer apply for the federal program, Niklaus said.

Families qualify for free or reduced lunch based on family size and income. Those who use food stamps or are involved in the Minnesota Family Investment Plan are automatically qualified.

Depending on income and family size, students will either qualify to eat for free or at a lower cost, which in Minnesota is 40 cents per meal. Anyone who qualifies will also get breakfast free, Niklaus said.

Families can apply for the free or reduced lunch program any time during the year by contacting Niklaus, the school office or a counselor. It takes about a week to have the application approved once it is sent out.

Annandale's regular lunch prices are $1.75 per meal at Bendix, $1.90 at AMS and $1.95 at the high school.

School officials appreciate the Angel Fund because it is getting more and more difficult for districts to subsidize the cost for students who don't have money in their account.

Food service is a cost that is on the rise in schools as food and crop prices continue to grow. Commodities, which are government surplus items, are becoming less available for districts, which means schools are having to buy more, Niklaus said.

At the same time, the rising cost of food is affecting individual families as well, and schools are seeing a greater need for programs like the Angel Fund.

"Will this $650 be sufficient to take them through the whole year? No, but boy, it will sure make some kid's life a little easier," Splinter said.

To donate to the Angel Fund call Splinter at 320-980-0560 and your contribution may be matched by Edina Realty. Or you can donate directly to the school.

"If other folks want to contribute, they can be assured the money will be used wisely," Niklaus said.

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