In 1987, Columbus Public Schools educators Catherine T. Willis and the late Thelma J Givens called together a group of retired African American educators for lunch.  That lunch was the deciding factor to organize a permanent "Lunch Bunch" group that would meet monthly.  Later, it was decided to open the membership to all women who supported the mission of the organization.

While the ladies enjoyed the camaraderie of the monthly lunches, they felt it important to identify a purpose that would make a positive contribution to the community.  Because the members felt so strongly about the needs of urban students, an annual need-based scholarship was established for African-American Columbus City Schools graduates.  The scholarship was named after Helen Jenkins Davis, an advocate for the rights of minority teachers and students.

Initially, the Lunch Bunch provided scholarships from their personal funds.  To ensure they could assist more students each year with greater scholarship amounts and share their story with the community, the group began to conduct fund-raising events.  

Providing scholarships to graduating African-American Columbus City Schools seniors is the primary program of the Lunch Bunch.  However, over the years, projects to provide hats, gloves, books, and other needed items to elementary students have been successful.

The organization celebrated 36 years of continuous service to young scholars of Columbus City Schools in 2022.