To help combat hunger in Georgia, a web-based app developed by a former GCPS student connects food-insecure families with food resources. Launched by 2015 Peachtree Ridge High grad Jack Griffin, Food Finder GA uses geo-targeting to direct users to the free food resource closest to their home, school, or current location. Built initially for Gwinnett County students, Food Finder was expanded this fall to serve food-insecure students statewide, thanks to a network of more than 1,000 resource providers.
Jack, now attending the University of Michigan, says he was looking for a way to volunteer in his community when he was inspired to do something to alleviate hunger. “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. “However, I discovered that the search process was much more difficult than I thought. I was just looking to help out somewhere, but the kids who actually need the aid should be able to access this information much more quickly; the idea to collect and easily display these food resources in an online aggregator came from this initial experience.”
A mobile app is coming soon. You can access the Food Finder GA web app online, or connect with Food Finder GA on Facebook and Twitter. Click to learn more about the student who launched the project in a profile by the Georgia Department of Education.
Did you know…
- Nearly 20% of Georgians aren’t sure where they’ll get their next meal. While children living in poverty may qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school, they could be going without a healthy meal at dinnertime, on weekends, or during holiday breaks from school.
- Research says that childhood hunger can contribute to a host of academic, behavioral, developmental, and health problems for children.