Since early November, colorful signs and cheerful announcements have urged North Atlanta students to donate a few cans to support the NAHS food drive. With over 4,000 cans donated—an increase of more than 1,000 from last year—the student body truly delivered. From the donor’s point of view, the food drive is simply about dropping off a few cans, but a lot of effort goes into ensuring the event runs smoothly. From setting up the drive to promoting it to transporting the donations, there are many moving parts to manage. The NAHS Student Government Association organized and directed the drive, so what do they have to say about it?

     Before the food drive even began, the SGA was preparing behind the scenes. They discussed the event in their first collective meeting, already mapping out online and in-school promotion techniques. They joined the 11Alive Can-A-Thon, which submitted all donations to the Salvation Army, and began posting updates on social media. Additionally, FBLA joined the mission and significantly contributed to the donation process. SGA Vice President Mia Yoo was pleased with how smoothly the event progressed. “This year went better than any other—it was very efficient,” she said.

     Despite the overall efficiency of the drive, the SGA encountered some challenges. One of the hardest parts was loading and unloading the heavy boxes of cans onto the truck that would take them to the Salvation Army. Plus, with over 4,000 cans to deliver, transportation was no small task. While getting students to engage and participate in the food drive can be difficult, offering a free donut to any student who donated five or more cans was incredibly successful. The SGA was able to turn a simple donation into one of the best parts of the drive. Mia Yoo underlined the importance of connecting with the student body. “The SGA wants to make sure we are communicating effectively,” she said.

     With such a great outcome, it is clear that they are succeeding in connecting North Atlanta to the broader community. Not only do they organize activities like the food drive, but they are also scheduled to meet with the APS School Board to discuss the welfare of North Atlanta, advocating for our school’s future. Additionally, they plan to implement more community-based activities, thereby expanding the school’s influence. Jarren Griffin, the 11th Grade Co-President, is excited for North Atlanta to engage further. “Striving to meet the needs of not just our school community, but the wider Atlanta community helps us see the world,” he said.

     With the holidays just around the corner, giving back to the community is even more important. Thanks to the SGA, North Atlanta has achieved this goal.