Families owe millions to municipalities for school meals

Several municipalities are pursuing unpaid school meal debts, with some exceeding 800,000 euros. Debts have accumulated for over a decade, and some have been sent for coercive collection. To facilitate payment, some municipalities offer installment plans to ensure children continue receiving meals. For instance, Maia has over 40,000 euros owed by 2,142 families. Other municipalities like Odivelas and Leiria have significant debts, with Odivelas totaling 836,344 euros. Municipalities often contact families to resolve debts before involving tax authorities. Additionally, unpaid fees extend to after-school activities, with some municipalities restricting children's participation until debts are settled.