Watch the interview with the cafeteria lady below.
Video credit: ABC News
A cafeteria lady who was kicked out of her job because she gave free food to a poor pupil has been offered back her job after her sacking created a massive outrage.
The woman, however, has rejected the offer.
Bonnie Kimball who had been working at Mascoma Valley Regional High School in New Hampshire for the last four years was sacked after being accused of stealing from the bosses.
Kimball knew the parents of the pupil for ages so she was confident that the boy would return the $8 – which he did within just 24 hours.
The woman was still kicked out of her job by Fresh Picks, the food service she worked for.
Kimball was told: “Do you understand what you did was wrong? That was theft,” according to CNN.
She was fired because she had “violated” the food services company procedure along with school policies, the outlet reported.
The company sent her a letter, reading: “A District Manager was on-site and witnessed a student coming through the line with multiple food items that you did not charge him for.
“This in strict violation of our Cash Handling Procedures, the Schools Charge Policy and Federal Regulation governing free meals.
“Your final has been processed and disbursed to you.”
However, after the incident sparked an outcry among the parents of the schoolkids, the company offered to rehire Kimball in a complete U-turn.
The service said they would also provide compensation to her and would “work with the school district to revise policies and procedures regarding transactions.”
But the woman has now declined the offer.
“I’m not bailing them out, I’m not gonna do it,” she told ABC. “The school should bring on another vendor – one that will treat the children better.
“They’ll never have a kitchen crew like we were.
“We made those lunches with love. We weren’t just lunch ladies, we went above and beyond our job to make sure kids got what they wanted.”
Fresh Picks later claimed in a statement that the boy would’ve still received a meal.
“Students who come up to the lunch line without money receive a lunch of an entrée or sandwich plus side dishes or fresh fruit and milk,” HR director Jaime Matheson said.
Angry parents at the school created a GoFundMe page for the distressed woman which has so far raised over $6,700.
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