Combating Food Insecurity: Goodr and Atlanta Gas Light Foundation partner to launch grocery store at Young Middle School

In a powerful effort to combat food insecurity in Metro-Atlanta, the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation has joined hands with Goodr, a food distribution and recovery organization, to establish the Goodr Grocery Store at Jean Childs Young Middle School in southwest Atlanta. The grand opening of the store was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, during which three families had the opportunity to shop for their necessities. Notable attendees included Atlanta Gas Light's President and CEO Pedro Cherry, Goodr's Founder Jasmine Crowe-Houston, and Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens.

Hailing from Atlanta, Goodr utilizes technology and logistics to combat hunger and minimize food waste. The Goodr Grocery Store at Jean Childs Young Middle School aims to provide an accessible solution for families facing food insecurity, while also promoting equity in the region. Throughout the school year, the store is expected to serve over 32,000 meals to students and their families, offering a sustainable and no-cost means for them to shop for high-quality, nutritious groceries. "We focused on early childhood development, academics, and afterschool programs, but food insecurity is very real across Atlanta and the state of Georgia. It is hard to learn on an empty stomach, and hundreds of our students and their families are going to benefit greatly from this free resource that we are going to have here at this school," said Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta.

Pedro Cherry, President and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light, emphasized the importance of this partnership stating, "This Goodr Grocery store here at Young Middle School is a shining example of what a true partnership can achieve. On behalf of Atlanta Gas Light and the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation we are proud to be a partner, to help create a community where our youth can succeed, proposer and be their very best selves.”

Feeding America reports that approximately 1.1 million Georgians currently struggle with hunger, with 360,000 of them being children, which amounts to 1 in 7 in the City of Atlanta. Hunger's impact goes beyond affecting a child's daily school performance; it also affects their overall health and psychosocial well-being. By bringing a grocery store directly to the middle school, this initiative aims to break down barriers and ensure that every child has easy access to fresh produce, pantry items, and other essential foods. Jasmine Crowe-Houston, founder of Goodr said “No matter how good of a teacher, no teacher could ever teach through hunger. And that it does not matter what you're teaching, what's on the board. If that student is wondering when and where their next meal is coming from you are not going to get a student that is well engaged and be able to learn.”

The collective efforts of the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation and Goodr play a crucial role in addressing the issue of food insecurity and contribute to building a healthier, more equitable future for students and families in the Metro-Atlanta area. Through their collaboration, these organizations are making a significant impact in the fight against hunger and setting an example for other communities to follow.