For School Districts
PLATES partners with Alaska school districts to reduce or eliminate unpaid meal debt through community‑driven fundraising. We know that meal debt places a real burden on districts — it strains budgets, consumes staff time, and can unintentionally create stigma for students. Our goal is simple: to help you remove that burden so every child can eat with dignity.
We provide districts with a streamlined, transparent fundraising model that connects donors directly to the schools they care about. Whether your district carries a few hundred dollars in debt or tens of thousands, PLATES helps you access community support without adding work to your plate.
How PLATES Supports District-Level Fundraising
District Fundraising Pages
Each participating school receives its own dedicated fundraising page, allowing donors to give directly to the school they want to support. These pages:
Show the school’s current meal‑debt need
Accept secure online donations
Are easy to share with families, staff, and community partners
Require no maintenance from district staff
PLATES manages the setup, hosting, and updates — districts simply share the links & receive the funds.
To be eligible a school district must participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program and have a current Unpaid Meal Debt policy on file.
To sign up for a fundraising campaign, please complete the Partner Fundraiser Sign-Up Form. For more information on fundraising support, please see our Partner Packet.
Transparent, Responsible Stewardship
All funds raised for a school go directly to that school’s meal‑debt relief. Districts receive clear reporting and timely transfers so you always know where funds are going and how they’re being used.
How PLATES Supports districts through Mini-Grants
PLATES receives financial support through individual donations, Fred Meyer/Kroger Community Rewards, and grants we actively pursue to strengthen school meal access across Alaska. All funds received through these channels are distributed to school districts through our mini‑grant program, ensuring resources reach communities with documented unpaid meal debt. When mini‑grants become available, eligible districts are notified directly and invited to apply, allowing us to deliver support where it is most needed.
Transparent, Responsible Stewardship
All funds raised for a school go directly to that school’s meal‑debt relief. Districts receive clear reporting and timely transfers so you always know where funds are going and how they’re being used.
Our Commitment to Districts
PLATES exists to support you — not to add tasks, expectations, or administrative burden. We believe that feeding students is essential work, and no district should have to navigate meal debt alone. Our fundraising model is designed to be simple, transparent, and effective, ensuring that your schools receive the support they need to keep students fed and focused on learning.
Donation Distribution
Donations received thru district fundraising efforts will be district either 2 weeks after a fundraising event closes, or twice a year for on-going fundraising. Funds donated for statewide distribution will be awarded through a mini‑grant process twice each year, ensuring funds are directed where they can make the greatest impact for Alaska students and districts in need.
Sign Up To Be a PLATES District Now
