POCATELLO, Idaho -- The school lunch lady who made national headlines after being fired for giving a hungry child free food, has been offered her job back, according to the school district.
Dalene Bowden told KPVI she gave the meal to a middle school student who said she didn't have any money to buy lunch. Bowden said a supervisor saw her give food to the 12-year-old girl and reported the incident. She said she was placed on leave, then received a letter that said she was terminated for theft.
"My heart hurts. I truly loved my job, and I can't say that I wouldn't do it again," she said.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 released a statement that said in part:
"In the spirit of the holidays, Superintendent Howell advises that the District has been in communication with Ms. Bowden extending an opportunity for her to return to employment with the District."
This comes after a social media firestorm of support for Bowden. An online petition to have here reinstated has over 90,000 signatures as of Thursday night.
Bowden has hired an attorney and there's no word on whether she will accept the offer and return to her old job.
