SUGAR HILL, Georgia — Students from Lanier High School’s band and football team came together this summer to fight hunger in their own community — and one of the poorest regions in the country.
In partnership with Meals to Missions, a national nonprofit organization, Lanier students raised nearly $160,000 and packed 10,000 shelf-stable meals. The meals were distributed to families in Sugar Hill and students in Harlan County, Kentucky — a rural area with high poverty rates and widespread food insecurity.
Unlike traditional fundraisers, the campaign emphasized hands-on involvement. Students helped assemble the meals themselves during a high-energy event designed to foster teamwork and purpose.
“This was bigger than football or music — this was about students making a real difference,” Melanie Busch, a spokesperson for the initiative, said. “Our kids may not come from wealth, but they have huge hearts and an unstoppable spirit.”
Band director Katy Wilson-Fields said the project stood out for its collaborative approach and lasting impact.
“We loved the opportunity to help our students grow while also working alongside the football team and giving back to others,” she said.
Wilson-Fields said students appreciated the chance to be part of the process.
“They enjoyed being involved in something real — not just another telethon, text-a-thon or selling fundraiser,” she said. “It gave them a sense of purpose.”
Drum major and rising senior Dominic Reeves said he was immediately drawn to the effort.
“When I found out we had a chance to help kids and families both here and in another state, I got excited,” Reeves said.
Participating in the project gave Reeves a deeper understanding of food insecurity.
“It made me realize that not everyone has access to nutritious food,” he said. “It really opened our eyes to the need that exists.”
Reeves said one of the most memorable aspects was working alongside student-athletes.
“The teamwork between two very different groups of students — the band and the football team — stood out to me,” he said. “It was fun, but also meaningful.”
Wilson-Fields said the effort played a role in developing student character and empathy.
“It’s important for students to understand the value of giving back,” she said. “This was a good introduction to that idea. We don’t just care for ourselves — we also find ways to care for each other.”
The initiative received strong support from Lanier’s administration, staff and coaches, making it a true schoolwide collaboration.
Meals to Missions has helped organize nearly 500 similar events worldwide, generating more than $30 million in food relief. The organization’s mission includes empowering youth through service.
“This wasn’t just about food,” Busch said. “It was about empowering young people, uplifting communities and inspiring change.”
Reeves said he hoped the campaign would motivate other schools to get involved.
“I hope this shows how easy it can be to give back,” he said. “Ten thousand meals is a big deal. I hope other teams and bands take this idea and run with it.”
