Kroger’s Atlanta Division, MUST Ministries and Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy recently unveiled a new school-based pantry, expanding access to groceries for students and families in the Atlanta Public Schools system. The pantry is expected to support approximately 150 families each month and is MUST’s first pantry in the APS system.
Across metro Atlanta, schools are increasingly serving as hubs of support for students and their families. By locating food pantries inside schools, families can access groceries in a familiar and trusted environment — helping ensure students arrive in the classroom ready to focus on learning.
“We are deeply grateful for Kroger’s support of our Neighborhood Pantry program, which now allows us to feed students inside the Atlanta Public Schools system for the first time,” said MUST Ministries President & CEO Dr. Ike Reighard. “This expansion into the City of Atlanta is going to provide much-needed food for families in need and will ensure that these children will continue to be fed even outside of school hours.”
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 fresh, healthy food for students and their families. Through this partnership, school pantries have been established 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 additional $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.
