(January 24, 2008) — It’s lunchtime and in my hand I hold one dollar. I scurry to the only vending machine containing snacks. I look at the options. Most of the slots are empty and my options are limited to stale looking trail mix that looks the same as it did two years ago, a healthy Nature Valley bar and Quaker Oats rice cakes. As I stare at my options I know my body yearns for some high calorie food. But wait, I spot a pack of Sour Patch valued at 85 cents. I think we have a winner. So I insert my dollar and press D4. As my mouth waters and the person in line behind me yells, “Hurry up!” the Sour Patch makes its way to the edge and gets stuck. The 15 cents that I’m owed isn’t given to me either. As I smack the vending machine in anger, the person in line behind me inserts their dollar, presses D4, and out come two packs of Sour Patch and my 15 cents. How many times have you seen this happen? During my three years at Clark, I’ve watched our beloved soda machines being replaced with just as sugary, but lousier tasting Powerade, the installation of “frozen dessert” machines loaded with watery tasting “frozen desserts” and the removal of all different types of fatty, but delicious foods. Throughout this time, I’ve also seen one food vending machine, only one. With over 1,000 students at Clark, the one food vending machine empties as soon as it is filled. It is a lucky day for all students to be able to purchase a food item at this machine. Unfortunately, most of the time, the food either gets stuck, your change gets eaten, or both. Personal experience has taught me that a dollar inserted into the vending machine is a gamble. Time and time again I’ve complained to friends and teachers that we need more food vending machines and ones that work properly. Spanish teacher Julie Ann Melville and I have emailed Clark’s accountant looking for solutions to the problem. We only received an 800 number, and our call went straight to voicemail. I then went on a quest to find out why we only have one food vending machine. Principal Doug Dall states that the company that supplies the machine doesn’t think it’s economically wise to have more than one machine. If the machine were to empty out often, then an additional machine would be installed. However, the machine seems to be emptied out quite often. I think this problem should be fixed immediately. I would like to enjoy my pack of D4 Sour Patch one day and have 15 cents to spare.