Katina, Safe Center Liaison at Redan High School, is on the front lines of addressing food insecurity for students and their families. With a background in school social work, she understands how access to food impacts every part of a student’s life. “We make sure they have what they need so students can focus on being successful,” she says.

In partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the school hosts regular food distributions and operates an on-site pantry to support families.

“All of this food that we have back here is from the Food Bank,” Katina explains. “It’s here for those who may not make it to a distribution or for students who need something in between.”

The need is significant. On average, the school serves 150 to 160 families each month, with numbers rising higher during the summer. In the Food Bank’s service area, 1 in 5 children are food insecure, and summer can intensity that challenge as students lose access to the school meals they rely on.

“During the summer, we serve around 190 families,” she shares. For many, these distributions are essential to getting through the break. “We have families come to the school during the summer and ask for resources to receive food assistance. We let them shop and get what they need,” Katina says.

Families often seek out staple items that can stretch across multiple meals. “Things like pasta and sauce go fast. Parents want something that will last.” The food provided helps families create filling, nutritious meals while easing financial pressure.

For Katina, the work goes beyond distributing food. It is about creating consistency, reducing stress, and ensuring no student has to learn on an empty stomach.