Rockville, MD -- Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced today a $230,000 donation from DARCARS® Automotive Group and DARCARS® Toyota to eliminate student meal debt for a significant number of MCPS students. This contribution through the MCPS Educational Foundation’s Dine with Dignity Program will help pay off a portion of the district’s outstanding meal debt, which has reached more than $1.36 million since 2023.
The donation eliminates two years of meal debt for families with FARMs eligibility, ensuring these students enter the new year with a clean financial slate.
“This incredible act of generosity from DARCARS does more than just clear a balance; it removes a barrier to student success,” said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. “By lifting this financial weight off our families during the holiday season, DARCARS is proving that they are not just a local business, but a dedicated partner in our mission to serve and support every student in Montgomery County.”
School lunch debt places a heavy burden on families and can impact a student’s ability to learn and thrive, said Jamie Darvish, owner of DARCARS® Automotive Group and DARCARS® Toyota. “No student should have to worry about affording a meal while at school,” Darvish said. “DARCARS is vigorously committed to the local community and is taking meaningful action so students can focus on what truly matters: learning and growing.”
This support reflects the community’s deep commitment to ensuring every child is fed with dignity, said Grace Rivera-Oven, Montgomery Board of Education President. “No student should ever feel embarrassed because their family is facing difficult times, and we are profoundly grateful for this collective effort. Partnerships like this one with DARCARS Automotive Group and DARCARS Toyota make a real, measurable difference in our students’ lives.”
The donation was presented during a special ceremony today, Dec. 22, in the meeting room of the Montgomery County Board of Education, attended by elected officials, business leaders and community supporters. Special thanks to Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce leadership for facilitating support of this donation.
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