Here's the main reason I support school lunches for those that can't afford it:
How is it the child's fault? You conservatives are extremely concerned with the life of a fetus before it leaves the womb... then you just wash your hands of it. Why should the child pay for the unneeded extravagance of the parents? If they want to screw themselves into a grave, that's just fine. But the children will have a chance with free public education, free school lunches, and tons of scholarship oppurtunities. Obviously this path will be tougher for them than it would be for someone that was born rich, but it at least tries to level the playing field. That's why school lunches, public education in general, and scholarships are free.