Second Graders Raise Money to Construct and Stock Little Free Pantry in Sandy Springs

After learning about food insecurity from EL Counselor Lynn Mandelbaum, second graders in Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Frankel’s class decided to raise money to construct and stock a Little Free Pantry in the Sandy Springs area. Teachers reached out to Rusty Paul, the Mayor of Sandy Springs, to ask where Galloway could install the pantry that would impact the most individuals. 

Mayor Paul and Michael Perry, the Director of Recreation & Parks for Sandy Springs, then connected Galloway to Los Niños Primeros, a Georgia nonprofit that provides year-round educational programs for Latino children, youth, and families, who recommended students construct a Little Free Pantry for Northwood Park in Sandy Springs. 

Using money from the school’s Goizueta grant, Mrs. Anderson and Ms. Francis’ second grade students built a food truck and sold donuts as a fundraiser for the Little Free Pantry.  

The students raised $2,000 in total! This allowed students to construct a Little Free Pantry with the help of EL Art Teacher Kyra Sampson who led the design and painting of the structure. 

Students will now make a shopping list using a predetermined budget and pick out food for the pantry that will provide the most nutritious bang for their buck. With the help of Galloway's incredible facilities team, The Little Free Pantry will be installed in Northwood Park on May 20, and the class will celebrate with a ribbon cutting on May 22.