Olympia law firm pays off thousands in school lunch debts

Attorneys at a South Sound law firm gave back in a special way this holiday season by donating money to the schools they attended when they were kids in the area.

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Earlier this month, attorneys at Connolly Tacon & Meserve in Olympia heard that a school district hired a collection agency to handle soaring lunch debts.

“That just seemed so problematic, it seemed like, so, clearly, the wrong way to approach it and we just wanted to find a way to give back to the community that was tangible,” said Kevin Meserve.

They decided to give back to the communities that built them. They paid off school lunch debts at their own schools, McLane Elementary School and LP Brown Elementary School in Olympia and they also footed the bill for all of the Rainier School District.

“This is just such a great opportunity to try to make life better for some of the kids who are walking the same halls I was when I was their age,” said Meserve.

“It really means a lot to be able to give back to the community I grew up in and the community that my kids attend,” said Jonathan Sprouffske.

Parents in the Rainier School District said the good news is spreading fast.

“I thought that was great. You know, we’re a small community and I love that the community gets together and alumni from the community is able to do that,” said parent Ida Boesch.

In all, it cost the firm about $2,000, but they said the joy it’s brought is priceless.

“Those students might not ever remember that when they were in second grade some law firm donated money, but we know we made a difference, we know we helped those families out this holiday season, and that’s what was really important to us,” said Sprouffske.

Written by Shelby Miller