Job closures and “stay-home” orders for reducing the spread and infection of COVID-19 are just some of the difficulties during these unprecedented times. A growing number of Americans are stuck in financial hardship. When money gets tight, or worse, when income becomes nonexistent, food insecurity becomes an additional uncertainty, leaving a large part of the population asking themselves if they have enough food to keep their bellies full or more importantly, if they have enough to survive.
People never before affected by food insecurity now see a harsh new reality. To help alleviate hunger, the College Park Skyhawks, teamed up with the Atlanta Hawks, State Farm, Goodr (an Atlanta-based social impact startup leveraging technology to reduce food waste and end hunger,) and the City of College Park Recreation and Cultural Arts Department to host the first pop-up grocery store in the City of College Park, marking the fifth one yet in the Metro Atlanta area.
Over 300 families signed up online to receive two weeks worth of free groceries. A continuous line of cars filled the street yesterday outside the Conley Recreation Center from 1-4 p.m. Drivers passed quickly through the lengthy lines, but not before volunteers swiftly loaded them with fresh meat, produce, and shelf-stable items.
Fresh fruits, non-perishables, and a children’s activity book were just some of the goods and groceries given to recipients.
Janice Koon, Vice President, G League Operations, of the College Park Skyhawks was one of the many volunteers on-site to provide assistance to the local community.
“We’re going to do as much as we can to help our community,” Koon said when asked if similar pop-up groceries can be expected to take place.
“We’ll see what’s next for us and how we can help to add a bit of lightness to this time that’s difficult”.
Koon said she wasn’t scared to be around the numerous people at the pop-up. Instead, she feels grateful to work with organizations helping people in need.
“It’s humbling, and the scary part is just seeing the need,” said Koon. “We’ve got our gloves, we’ve all done this very safely, but the need is great, and it’s such a privilege to be (helping out).
To help the most vulnerable populations amidst the COVID-19 crisis: senior citizens and low-income students who rely on school meals, other volunteers packed and delivered groceries to their homes, ensuring those registered received food essentials despite being unable to collect on their own the necessities needed to hopefully get through the next two weeks.
Gloria Ruth Finney
