Mom pays for students' lunches after son denied lunch at school

DOWAGIAC, Mich. (KGO) -- A Michigan mother took a stand after she says her son was humiliated in the lunch line at high school.

Dominic Gant says school officials took away his lunch because he owed less than $5 on the account.

His mom, Amanda Keown, was furious. She says all kids should get lunch, no matter what. So she went to the school and paid the outstanding balances of every student.

"It was really embarrassing, especially in front of the whole lunch room," Gant said.

"I realize I didn't have to do that," said Keown. "But I don't want another kid going through what my son went through."

The total to pay off all of the students' outstanding balances ended up being just under $100.

The principal of Dowagiac Union High School said later that Gant shouldn't have been sent home hungry.

He said the high school junior should have been able to ask for permission to charge another day.

The principal said they do their best to let parents know about the balance on their kids' accounts.