BLUEFIELD, Va. (WVVA) - Harman Masonic Lodge # 222 in Bluefield, VA made a decision to pay off some of Bluefield's lunch debt at their January chapter meeting.

The Lodge voted unanimously to donate money towards unpaid school lunch balances for Dudley Primary School and Graham Intermediate School in Bluefield, VA.

Unpaid meal debt at our local schools is a growing trend and we feel like no child should have to worry about not having enough money to eat lunch. Grat Slade, Harman Masonic Lodge #222 member

The Lodge will also donate $500 towards Graham High School’s unpaid lunch debt.

They also voted to donate $250 to the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center and $250 to the McDowell County Career and Technical Center.

This money will be used for their Skills USA program. This is a nationwide competition that requires the schools to pay for lodging, food and transportation for the students.

I would like to urge all local organizations, businesses and churches to consider donating to Graham High and Graham Middle School to pay down the debt for unpaid school lunches. As a community, we can help these children concentrate on their school work, and not how much they have in their pockets. Grat Slade, Harman Masonic Lodge #222 member

In addition to monetary donations, the Lodge is currently planning a litter pick up day closer to the end of winter.

We are excited for the year ahead of us and hope to make our communities better. Grat Slade, Harman Masonic Lodge #222 member

Although the generous donations help with the debt, it is a daily battle as new debt is created every day.