Students Donate 4,292 Pounds of Food to Combat Holiday Hunger

December 9, 2025 / News Releases/All News

Jackson Academy students took action in November and December, amassing an impressive 4,292 pounds of food and $300 to help community members facing food insecurity during the holidays.

The schoolwide canned food drive brought together students from every grade level in a collective effort to support We Will Go Ministries, a local organization dedicated to providing essential resources to those in need. From the youngest K2s to Upper School students, the Jackson Academy community rallied to make a meaningful difference.

The initiative not only addressed a critical community need but also provided valuable learning experiences for students of all ages. During Jackson Academy’s Annual Christmas Open House, sponsored by the Jackson Academy Association, young students experienced the joy of giving firsthand. They participated in bagging the donated food items and delivering them to “Mrs. Claus’ kitchen”—a festive touch that helped even the youngest Raiders understand the importance of helping others during the holiday season.

Middle and Upper School students took on the logistics of the operation, helping transport and load the bagged and boxed donations into the We Will Go Ministries truck on Thursday. The hands-on involvement gave older students a tangible understanding of community service and the physical work involved in addressing food insecurity.

Helping transport canned goods for loading were Reggie Harper, Aric Bradley, Houston Warren, Drew Gay, Griff Williams, Cash Malouf, Jamison Graham, Sam Cox, Chase Howard, and Roderick Rhodes.

The 4,292  pounds of donated food will help provide meals for local families during a time when food scarcity often becomes more acute. For many households, the holidays can present additional financial strain, making community support essential.

Loading the We Will Go truck with the canned goods collected by students of Jackson Academy are (from back, left) Tripp McGowan, Miles Davis, Grant Taylor, Amari Felton, Cooper Griffin, Whit DavisJosh Menogan, Ben Chapman, Nick Rula, Colemon Edmonson, Peyton Smith, Alex Estess (front, left) Director of Community Programs Sissy Ingram, Hayley Barbour, Caleb Levy, Jordann Walker, Anderson Mehrle, Alvin Thomas, Luke Mann, Parker Thomas, Sam Seward, and Director of Engagement Laurie Cutrer.