A nonprofit organization is helping Atlanta students with meals

ATLANTA, GA — GENYOUth, a national nonprofit organization, has teamed up with Kroger and The Dairy Alliance to help make sure students through Atlanta Public Schools are still being fed during virtual learning.

GENYOUth is dedicated to creating healthier school communities. The nonprofit announced Thursday the donation of $100,000 to its COVID-19 Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund by the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger of Zero Waste Foundation.

It “supports efforts to create communities free of hunger and waste, improve food security, and bring balanced meals to families in need,” said Felix Turner, Corporate Affairs Manager, Kroger Atlanta Division.

“It is crucial that our children have access to fresh food, which would not happen without the Atlanta Public Schools meal delivery program. We are excited to be a part of the team that is helping to ensure that fresh meals can be safely stored and delivered to students.”

He said this donation demonstrates just how committed Kroger is to serving communities.

To date, the foundation has already directed more than $9.3 million to urgent COVID-19 response initiatives, including GENYOUth’s COVID-19 Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund, Turner said.

This donation will provide micro-grants for Atlanta Public School.

Due to school disruptions caused by the pandemic, school meal distribution will be more logistically complicated and costly this coming school year, said GENYOUth.

While school cafeterias will be closed, the district says it will continue to provide vital school meals to students via school bus delivery and curbside pickup.

Kroger’s donation will support the purchase of insulated cooler bags to ensure the safe transport, delivery, and distribution of meals to students throughout the District.

A total of 54 Atlanta Public Schools are part of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides all students with free breakfast and lunch. And an additional 21 schools will participate in the Federal Eligibility Application (FEA) program, which offers free and reduced-price meals to qualifying students.

Atlanta Public Schools will continue participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s school nutrition program.

“In an effort to take care of our families Atlanta Public Schools is extremely grateful and appreciative of the support of GENYOUth, Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, and The Dairy Alliance,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring in a statement.

“This generous donation will allow a shift from traditional cafeteria meal service to student meal distribution through school bus delivery and curbside pickup. These partnerships help to align with our families’ expectations of available fresh, wholesome foods in the community that are comparable to school meals.”