My Son Was Giving His Lunch Away Every Day—But Not For The Reason I Thought

When Kian’s teacher reported he wasn’t eating lunch and seemed tired, I packed extra snacks and called the school, but nothing changed. Kian confessed he was giving his lunch to Omar, a classmate who came to school hungry. I contacted Omar’s sister, Layla, who was struggling as his guardian after their parents’ deaths, unable to afford regular meals. I started packing lunches for both boys. When Omar suddenly stopped attending school and Layla’s number was disconnected, I discovered they’d been evicted. Months later, Layla and Omar

reappeared at a park, now stable with help from a church. Grateful, we stayed connected, and they joined us for Thanksgiving. Inspired, Layla founded Second Sandwich, a nonprofit providing lunches for underfed students, with Kian decorating the bags. My own childhood, marked by hunger, drove my persistence. Kian’s small act of giving up his lunch sparked a ripple of compassion, reminding me that noticing someone’s struggle and offering help—even just a sandwich—can make them feel seen and valued.