Beyond the Books: Hall County educators, students raise money for hungry families

Since last month, the Hall County School District has delivered nearly a half million meals to students who have been learning from home during the coronavirus pandemic. As the daily deliveries continued, it didn't take long for school officials to realize the issue of food insecurity extended beyond the students themselves to their families and their neighbors.

 

After assisting with some of the meal deliveries, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Brad Brown was compelled to ask his fellow employees to join a fundraising effort for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank that he called "Beyond the Books."

 

"During these unprecedented times, Shelter-in Place has created--forced even--a lot of family time amidst the house chores and the to-do lists of fixes that have been duly waiting on ‘when I have time.’ It has also provided opportunities to reflect on how I spend my time and wherein lies my focus. And although the 'coronavirus life' we currently live in is big, it is not bigger than us," Brown wrote in an email.

He asked each Hall County "team member" and Hall County student to donate one dollar with the goal of raising $10,000 to feed hungry families in the area.

"Remember, it is not about the amount, but the heart, and I know from personal experience, that the HallCo Family has big, gargantuan, colossal hearts," Brown said.

Just two days after the email was distributed, the district had surpassed the goal. Additionally, an anonymous donor pledged to match the $10,000 amount.

Stan Lewis, Director of Communications and Athletics for the Hall County, said donations have been as little as $5 to as much as the large matching gift. 

"It's not how much, it's just the fact that you give, that you participate," Lewis said. "Even if you're only giving a dollar, you're making a difference and if we all pull together and make a contribution, great things can happen."

While the goal has been surpassed, the fundraising campaign will remain open through the end of the month, according to Lewis.