4 Answers

Sounds like another 'corporate statement' being made. You know, the one that says individual situations don't matter....."It's our policy"!

Where's the petition !!?  Ridiculous policy !

I'm not buying the story. Have read it too many times in different circumstances. No one would be fired over such a gift and I'll bet she would have covered the cost. Nope....

Ducky

Maybe we'll hear "the rest of the story"? Who knows but you could be right.

All the school districts in California provide free or reduced price lunches to students.  Parent/guardian fills out a pretty simple form to apply. 
The lunch lady knew better.  Without becoming emotionally or socially involved in the details of the action, what she did was take something that did not belong to her.  That is stealing.