William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman Ruge's Automotive has written the Rhinebeck school district a $900 check to cover nearly all of what students owed to the district's reduced-price lunch program. Another $50 was donated by a district parent. The donations covered the debt accumulated by approximately 200 of the district's 985 students during the school year that just ended. “On average, [the amount owed] was about $5 [per student],” Assistant Superintendent Thomas Burnell said. Ruge’s Automotive has two vehicle dealerships in Rhinebeck. The company said in a prepared statement that it has a philosophy of “paying it forward” to benefit the community. “No one should have to worry about how to come up with funds to make sure their children are well-nourished when they’re trying to get the most out of their school day,” said Ruge's President Kristin Ruge Hutchins. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.