The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-03-10
PENNY LUNCH FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

/ Like the proverbial wild fire. the
penny lnnch has spread.
| Unlike the fire in its effect. the
sweep of this unique institution has
wrought, not destruction. but inesti-
mable good. 1t has been a builder
up, not tearer down.
AS simple in its nucleus of thought
as the egg OF Columbus, the idea of
the penny lunch has slumbered unno-
ticed in the forgotten corners of a bill
lion brains. Savants and scholars have
given their lives to the study of the
betterment Of the young idea just
learning to shoot. Millions have been
spent that the poor scholars might en-
ter the ruthless grooves OF life as we'll
equipped mentally and physically as
their more fortunate brothers and sis
tiers.
But it remained for a woman, Of no
world fame as a socioiogist or student
of economic conditions, TO bring forth
the plan which by its very practical
simpieness and effectiveness bids fair
to be copied over the wide, wide world.
The first penny lunch for pupils OF
public schools was established In Gin
cinnati in the Jackson public scnonl
by Miss Ella A. Welsh, one OF its
teachers, April Is, 1908.
During. the pioneer period when the
practicability Of this now famous
philanthropy was being tested and
proved it was watched with constant
ly increasing interest at home and
abroad.
No sooner was its success assured
and its inestimabie value as per-
manent factor in welfare work uni
versally recognized than it's extension
to other public schools, with the sane
Ac f,,fA -
schools and the board OF education,
was enthusiastically effected by and
under the auspices Of local organiza-
tons of representative women. viz:
The Woman's Civic League. the Jew
ish Council of Women, the woman's
Club and the Mothers Association.
The individual members of those asso-
Citations, who had earnestly studied
and personally observed the founders
penny lunch at the jackson school,
were it's most jealous champions and
through their several association.
with which the founder co-operated
or was identified, the scope OF the
work was gradually enlarged until at
the present time it embraces eleven
public schools.
The board of education at it's meet
ing in June. 1912, authorized an appro-
priation Of $4,000 per annum in addi-
ton to an appropriation Of 5000 per
annum previously allowed the Jack |
son school to cover the wages OF cooks
in eleven schools.
in justification of this small outlay
on the part of the taxpayers, it needs !
only to be stated, on the authority of
DR.. Dyer. former superintendent Of
public school. that since the penny
lunch was first installed in the Jack
son school the physical standard of
the pupils has been raised so per cent
and their mental efficiency correspond !
ingiy increased. Equally gratifying
results obtain in all the other schools
so equipped. The benefits ara three i
fold: To the pupil. in improved health. |
increased mental efficiency and power
of application to the parents, In the
greater physical and mental vigor of
state the economic gain. In the in
creased earning power and produc-
tive capacity OF the adult.
During the earlier period CT its op-
GRAFTON. the penny lunch attracted at
tention throughout the United States
and foreign lands, as shown by visitors