Montgomery County Schools Host Inaugural 5K to Erase Student Meal Debt

Superintendent's Shuffle raises funds to pay off outstanding cafeteria balances across the district.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:13am

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of runners crossing a finish line, with blurred spectators and volunteers in the background, conveying a sense of community and athletic energy through warm, golden-hued lighting and gentle bokeh effects.The inaugural Superintendent's Shuffle 5K brought the Montgomery County community together to raise funds and awareness for student meal debt.Gaithersburg Today

The Montgomery County Public Schools system held its first-ever 'Superintendent's Shuffle' 5K race on Saturday, with proceeds going towards erasing outstanding student meal debt across the district. The event, which took place at Gaithersburg High School and Bohrer Park, drew a large crowd of participants and community members.

Why it matters

Food insecurity remains a significant issue for many families in the Montgomery County area, with unpaid student meal balances creating financial burdens for both schools and households. The Superintendent's Shuffle aims to address this problem directly by raising funds to clear outstanding cafeteria debts, ensuring all students have access to nutritious meals during the school day.

The details

The 5K race course wound through Bohrer Park before returning to the football field at Gaithersburg High School. Organizers said the event was a success, with strong community turnout and enough funds raised to make a meaningful dent in the district's overall student meal debt.

  • The inaugural Superintendent's Shuffle 5K took place on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Montgomery County Public Schools

The public school district serving Montgomery County, Maryland, which includes over 200 schools and more than 160,000 students.

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What’s next

The school district plans to make the Superintendent's Shuffle an annual event to continue chipping away at outstanding student meal debt.

The takeaway

By hosting a community-driven fundraising event, Montgomery County Public Schools has found a creative way to address the persistent issue of food insecurity and ensure all students have access to nutritious meals during the school day.