Caring For Others Opens New School-Based Food Pantry at Crawford W. Long Middle School, Bringing Direct Relief to 800+ Families in Southwest Atlanta

“When we place a pantry inside a school, we are removing one of the biggest barriers to learning. This is about more than food; it is about dignity, stability, and giving every child a fair opportunity to succeed.”
-Dr. Eslene Richmond-Shockley
Founder, President & CEO, Caring For Others

ATLANTA, March 23, 2026 — Every school day in Southwest Atlanta, students and families at Crawford W. Long Middle School arrive carrying backpacks, homework, and for too many, the quiet weight of an empty stomach. For the more than 800 families in this school cluster, this Wednesday, that all changes.

Caring For Others will officially open a new on-campus food pantry at Crawford W. Long Middle School on Wednesday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m., made possible through major support from Kroger’s Atlanta Division and vendor partners Heinz and Kellanova. The pantry will give students and their families discreet, immediate access to food, clothing, and essential supplies, right inside the school where they already are.

“Far too many children walk into school carrying more than a backpack. They carry the stress of food insecurity and uncertainty about what waits for them at home,” said Dr. Eslene Richmond-Shockley, Founder, President, and CEO of Caring For Others. “When we place a pantry inside a school, we are removing one of the biggest barriers to learning. This is about more than food; it is about dignity, stability, and giving every child a fair opportunity to succeed. We are deeply grateful to Kroger, Heinz, and Kellanova for standing with our students and families when it matters most.”

Educators across Metro Atlanta report that hunger is increasingly affecting attendance, focus, and classroom performance. School-based pantries address this directly: families can access support without transportation barriers, without taking time off work, and without the stigma that often deters people from seeking help.

“We are continuing to advance Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission,” said Tammie Young-Ennaemba, manager of communications and public affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “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 Caring for Others, dedicated educators and vendor partners, we are building a stronger support system for students and families.”

Long Middle School is part of a broader expansion expected to serve more than 800 families in the middle school cluster alone, and more than 3,500 families across multiple school clusters in Metro Atlanta. The initiative is supported by Kroger’s Atlanta Division and vendor partners Heinz and Kellanova, whose investment reflects The Kroger Foundation’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission to build stronger, healthier communities through strategic partnerships.

To date, Kroger’s Atlanta Division has donated more than $500,000 to support school pantries across the region

As demand for school-based support continues to grow, Caring For Others remains committed to meeting families where they are and ensuring no child has to choose between learning and hunger.