The pantry is expected to support approximately 150 families each month. Educators say access to food is a crucial factor in helping students stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice Kroger’s Atlanta Division, MUST Ministries, and Henry Louis “H ank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy unveiled a new school-based pantry on March 19, expanding access to groceries for students and families in the Atlanta Public Schools system. Across metro Atlanta, schools are increasingly serving as hubs of support for students and their families. By locating food pantries in schools, families can access groceries in a familiar, trusted environment, helping ensure students arrive in the classroom ready to focus on learning. The pantry is expected to support approximately 150 families each month. The event also included a ribbon cutting, pantry reveal, and check presentation. Educators say access to food is a crucial factor in helping students stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. “This pantry is not only sustainable, but it is also the future. It provides a need,” said Hank Aaron Academy Principal Robinson Zawadaski (above). Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice Principal of Hank Aaron Academy Robinson Zawadaski said they are celebrating a new and extremely valuable partnership with MUST Ministries, Kroger’s, and their affiliated partnerships. “I am elated to welcome all of you to the Henry Louis Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy. This pantry is not only sustainable, but it is also the future. It provides a need,” he said. Henry Louis Hank Aaron Academy is a nontraditional school serving students in grades 6 through 12, and Zawadaski says it helps fill in the gaps so students can become scholars and more productive citizens. The food pantry will allow families to access groceries in a familiar, trusted environment, helping ensure students arrive in the classroom ready to focus on learning. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice “We have two priorities here: Academic growth and SRT. SRT, as we focus on social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and trauma- and therapy-informed practices. It is a positive, highly instructed family environment, and I want to thank you for coming today,” he said. Head of Communications and Public Affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, Tammie Young-Ennaemba, said they are continuing to advance Kroger’s Zero Hunger/Zero Waste mission. “Step by step and school by school, we are helping ensure students can focus on learning — not worrying about whether they will have enough to eat. Together with MUST Ministries, dedicated educators, and vendor partners, we are building a stronger support system for students and families,” she said. Additionally, MUST Ministries addresses the basic needs of individuals, families, and children with facilities in Cobb and Cherokee counties, as well as programs across many metro Atlanta communities. Head of Communications and Public Affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, Tammie Young-Ennaemba (above) said, “Together with MUST Ministries, dedicated educators, and vendor partners, we are building a stronger support system for students and families.” Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice In November 2024, MUST Ministries announced a partnership with Kroger and its vendor partners to expand MUST’s Neighborhood Pantry program, which supports metro Atlanta students through pantries embedded in schools and communities. Kroger donated $207,000 over two years to help grow the program and provide students and their families with fresh, healthy food. Through this partnership, school pantries have been set up at Cherokee High School, Dunleith Middle School, Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, Marietta Middle School, and Cobb Horizon High School. Earlier this year, Kroger and its vendor partners presented an added $339,432 donation to MUST Ministries and Caring for Others to expand school pantries across the metro area, including Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy, Long Middle School, and South Atlanta High School. Together, these partnerships are helping expand a growing network of school-based food pantries designed to provide reliable access to groceries for families where students already learn and gather. The post Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy unveils new school-based pantry appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less