Teachers, parents and students should be aware that there is a Georgia-developed resource available to connect food-insecure children — and adults trying to help — with food resources.

Food Finder GA, a web app developed by Peachtree Ridge High School graduate Jack Griffin, uses geo-targeting to direct users to the free food resource closest to their home, school or current location. It was built initially for Gwinnett County students, but expanded this fall to serve all food-insecure students in the state through a network of more than 1,000 resource providers.

“We can’t expect our students to be focused and prepared academically when they’re worried about where their next meal is coming from,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Projects like Food Finder GA streamline and simplify the process of finding food resources for students who are food-insecure — and the adults trying to provide assistance to those students.”

Griffin said the inspiration for the project came as he was looking for an opportunity to volunteer.
“I focused on hunger specifically because it seemed like the most pressing and fundamental need that had to be addressed for impoverished children,” he said.

Amber Stallings, a teacher at Peachtree Ridge High in Suwanee, said the Food Finder app helps her connect students with area food banks.
“All students come to school every day to learn, but many students across Georgia and the nation also come to school for a chance to eat breakfast and lunch,” Stallings said. “School meals do provide a crucial safety net for food-insecure students, but after the bell rings, many kids go home hungry.”

To access the Food Finder GA app, go to foodfinderga.org. Connect with Food Finder GA on Facebook at www.face book.com/FoodFinderGA.