Partnership for Purpose: Feeding Those in Need During COVID-19 School Closures

At their peak, the closures affected at least 55.1 million students in 124,000 U.S. public and private schools. Nearly every state either ordered or recommended that schools remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Without access to school meals, children lose a consistent source of healthy food. The National School Lunch Program provides low-cost or free lunches to 29.7 million children daily, at a cost of $13.8 billion. As such, food banks will continue to work with school districts and local government agencies to ensure children who rely on school meals have access to food outside of the classroom. 

How we are helping our community.

As a member of the Atlanta and North Georgia community, the Shaw Contract team began a local food drive to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Every dollar donated will assist the Atlanta Community Food Bank in providing four meals for people in the service area.

The food bank’s call to action has been to start a Virtual Food Drive, a campaign to raise funds used for purchasing food items. On March 13, our team set for the goal of raising $3,000, which would provide 12,000 meals to children and families in need throughout Georgia, through our virtual campaign named Partnership for Purpose. 

Our goal is simple: to empower people to act on their power for positive change. 

The impacts of COVID-19 are far reaching and deep, we are all in this together and every effort makes an impact. 

“We are partnering with schools to feed kids who have lost access to free and reduced price meals. Multiple school sites around the metro area are preparing hot meals that families can pick up. The Food Bank is already working with Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Schools, Dekalb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Marietta City Schools to provide grocery boxes - with enough food for 3-4 days - that families can take home along with their prepared meal.” 

- Jay Arnold, Atlanta Community Food Bank Food Drives and Events Specialist

At this time, the food bank is asking for monetary donations to limit the person-to-person contact of item drop offs. If you’d like to support the Atlanta and North Georgia community, you can make a financial donation here.
 

How you can help in your community.

Please consider partnering with any of the following food banks that have a national reach, or search for a food bank in your local community. Each community needs support in unique ways to address their situation, we encourage you to find what your community needs and support them. Every dollar helps.

Feeding America

No Kid Hungry