COLLEGE PARK, GA – With a goal to help address food insecurity in Atlanta, the Atlanta Dream attended the unveiling of a brand new, custom-built food pantry at College Park Elementary School on Wednesday (November 17), established from a partnership between Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Heart of America and iHeartMedia.
Atlanta Dream Head Coach Tanisha Wright and forward Cheyenne Parker along with representatives from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, iHeart Impact, Heart of America, Reams Enterprises, and Ideas Paining unveiled the on-campus permanent food pantry and resource center at College Park Elementary on Wednesday. They joined volunteers in handing out boxes and bags of fresh food to families and cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the school’s new food pantry and parent resource center.
“We are excited to be here, excited to be a part of something so amazing in this community,” Wright said to event attendees. “We know that raising good community leaders and people are important… to have this opportunity to be able to give back to the community, to show our faces and present something so amazing is really important to us.”
Based on data from Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal study, approximately 1 in 5 kids in Atlanta are experiencing food insecurity. The collaboration between Heart of America, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and iHeartMedia aims to provide a practical, sustainable resource that will help College Park students and their families access healthy meals for years to come.
Launched in September, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Heart of America and iHeartMedia collaboration has already distributed nearly 7,500 pounds of food to local students, families and community members. In addition to the pantry being an on-campus resource, monthly community food distributions will be made available to local families.
The Atlanta Dream will tip off their 15th season in the WNBA in 2022. The organization, who plays its home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park, has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 14 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and inquire about 2022 season tickets, please visit www.atlantadream.net, call 877-977-7729 or email tickets@atlantadream.net.