Three pastors in Virginia have given an early Christmas gift to schools in two districts, effectively wiping clean the outstanding lunch debt incurred by some students from low-income families.

The Associated Press reported Monday that the three leaders of Mount Ararat Baptist Church donated more than $17,000 to clear the lunch debts of two school districts in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.

“It seemed like a good idea, [but] we didn’t know if there was a need because no one ever seems to talk about this,” said the Rev. Jerry Williams, one of the three pastors. “So we called the school systems. And gosh, wow, was there a need.”

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“This is not a churchy thing,” he continued. “This — helping children and families — this is a thing that anyone can do.”

The principal of one elementary school that received a donation from the pastors told the AP that she was "overwhelmed" by their generosity. Typically, the debt is paid down by parent-teacher groups and members of the faculty out of pocket.

Numerous school systems in the U.S. have faced controversy in recent months after outstanding student lunch debts resulted in officials denying hot meals or throwing away prepared meals in front of hungry children.