Irish pub owner pays students' lunch debts in honor of his late wife

An Irish pub owner in Oklahoma has helped clear the student lunch debts for thousands of students in honor of his late wife .

Sean Cummings grew up in Kansas City, as the son of Irish parents, who hailed from Co Galway and Co Clare. After moving to Oklahoma, Sean set up the first Irish pub in the city.

His wife, Cathy, was the Former Mayor and City Councilwoman of The Village City. It was her generosity and dedication to the community that inspired Sean’s mission.

• The Kerryman in Chicago is committed to helping Irish people who 'need a leg up in life'
• Irish Pub with a big heart 'won't stop giving' to the most needy

Cathy was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. In her final days, she and Sean brainstormed about her legacy, and what she could do to leave a positive mark on the world.

Sean told IrishStar.com: “We really couldn’t come up with anything that could be solved. Rarely, in politics, do you get to do anything that’s monumental.”

When the couple heard from a friend that her son’s high school transcript was being withheld because he owed $2.50 in lunch debt, they were inspired to take action. They realized that if a student's transcript could be withheld over a tiny debt, there were likely more students who owed greater amounts and whose futures could be in jeopardy.

At the same time, both Sean and Cathy were natural born feeders, who as Irish and Italian restaurant owners, dedicated their careers and lives to making sure the bellies around them were full.

“I never thought we’d get this far. I thought maybe like 10 grand - and mostly because people just loved her.”

Cathy sadly passed away on February 11 of this year, and Sean posted the GoFundMe page the following weekend. Instantly, donations began to pour in, ranging from $380 to $5,200.

To date, they have paid off student lunch debt in around 46 schools in the state, which Sean has personally visited to make the donations - accompanied by his and Cathy’s dog who often steals the show.

“As of today we are at a total of $94,500,” Sean said. “We’re trying to increase that number to help a school that was affected by the tornado. They had their entire homes destroyed but still owe lunch debt, which is insane.”

The shame and isolation caused by the inability to afford school lunches lingers after childhood.

“Giving someone a 'shame sandwich' puts a target on their back,” Sean said. “You’re showing their peers that their parents don’t care, you’re proving they can’t take care of themselves and nobody is coming to save them."

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

The donations through GoFundMe are helping to eradicate this stigma and build foundations for the students' futures.

“If you haven’t eaten, nothing else matters other than eating,” Sean said. “So it is awful and crucial. But the GoFundMe has been marvelously successful.”

You can learn more about their mission and contribute to the GoFundMe here.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .