Student wants No Tummies Left Behind
When sixth grader Ella Bettner learned that some students in local school districts had negative lunch balances in the school cafeteria or could not afford lunch she decided to do something about it.
Ella, a Faribault resident who attends school in Medford said that “just seeing people couldn’t get extra food” was her motivation for getting involved and ultimately leaded to starting “No Tummies Left Behind” with the help of her mother, Nichole. Nichole said she has been meeting with area people to begin the process to make it a 5013c organization
Ella started by making handcrafted bracelets that she sold at craft fairs and similar venues like Northfield’s Riverwalk Craft Show. Her idea was that all the money she raised would go to reducing those negative lunch balances.
After Christmas last year the number of craft shows dwindled. Ella’s friends had joined in the effort and with fewer craft shows they expanded to including fundraisers at area restaurants. They also have business partners in the Faribault area including Finally a Gift Store, 10,000 Drops Craft Distillers, Redemption and Hy-Vee, and Channel Inn in Warsaw.
Last Wednesday Ella and several of her friends were at the Pizza Ranch in Owatonna where they helped out by busing tables, vacuuming and cleanup chores. They accepted donations and also received 10 percent of the Pizza Ranch sales between 4 and 8 p.m.
At first No Tummies Left Behind concentrated on Faribault and Medford negative lunch balances. By December 2021 Ella had donated $806.50 to the Medford School District and $716.50 to the Faribault district. With an additional $46.63 added to the Faribault total No Tummies Left Behind was able to pay off the entire lunch debt at the school. They also have expanded to helping the WEM Public Schools.
Last week’s Pizza Ranch event was their first fundraiser in Owatonna.
Ella said that the name, No Tummies Left Behind,” just “popped in. When the time was right, it just came.” It was kind of a play on the No Child Left Behind phrase, she said.
Nichole Bettner said the project has been well received. The Faribault schools have been appreciative, and Ella will be attending a school board meeting in November. She also has presented information on the project on the Faribault cable TV channel.
Lukes Ball, who recently became general manager of the Owatonna Pizza Ranch, said he had done community events at the Austin store and that Pizza Ranch in general is supportive of these Community Impact Nights.
The girls are keeping busy with their fundraising having followed up the Wednesday at Owatonna event with Friday at the Channel Inn in Warsaw and this past Monday at the A&W in Faribault. They will return to the Owatonna Pizza Ranch on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. where they will again be busing tables and receiving 10 percent of the sales during those hours.