Atlanta News First, Hosea Helps team up to get students ready for school

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Hosea Helps and Atlanta News First teamed up to make sure students are going back to school prepared.

The first day of school is right around the corner, and Atlanta News First teamed up with Hosea Helps to collect donations to help low-income families. It all led to the annual Back-to School Jamboree on Saturday, designed to help students like Zachariah Timmons.

“I get good grades, I love to sing, I love to dance,” he said, as he picked up his new backpack full of school supplies.

The 17-year-old is a straight-A student, but he and his mother are without a place to sleep most nights.

“There’s a lot going on right now, and all I want to do is go to school, graduate, get a job, take care of my mother,” he said.

That’s what this event is meant to do. Almelia Chapman says the goal is to ease the burden on parents and students so they come to school ready to learn.

“To come there equipped and able to do your work is so important because I’ve seen kids without supplies, without anything, and I’ve found myself going to the store buying stuff because they feel left out. They feel like they can’t perform,” said Chapman.

Across the entire metro area, roughly 12,000 students are living without stable housing, whether they’re living on the street, in a car or a hotel.

Not only are these families getting backpacks filled with school supplies, but they’re also getting fresh fruits and vegetables and drinks for their families, as well as children’s or women’s clothes if they need them and health care screenings on site.

“We have sign-ups for Medicare, SNAP, childcare,” said Chapman.

She said they’re grateful to everyone who donated because the response indicates the need is widespread.

“A lot of parents are struggling now, and school is right around the corner, and they need help,” she said.