05/27/2026
Food needed to feed hungry students during the summer
A desperate mother called Rutherford County Schools’ ATLAS program to request food for her two hungry children last week.
The mother developed cancer and lost her industry job and her home, said Jessica Johnson, ATLAS liaison Rutherford County Schools. She was evicted from her rental home last week.
“She’s never been homeless before,” Johnson said. “She doesn’t know how to navigate.”
The mother had not eaten in two days but used her little funding to feed her children.
ATLAS (Academic Time Leads to Achieving Students) is a program sponsored by Rutherford County Schools offering services for families who are considered homeless by sharing homes with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
The children may be living in campgrounds or motels, in shelters, in cars or in parks.
“Right now, we have more than 1,700 kids,” Johnson said.
The students receive food from the ATLAS program during the school year but still need food during the summer.
That’s why Lascassas Elementary School SRO Chad Dodson is spearheading “Operation Full Plate” to collect food for homeless students during the summer.
Dodson said rising 6th grade students enrolled in the annual SRO Jr. Deputy Academy next week and their parents are asked to bring food for the homeless students.
“The Jr Deputy Academy concept for this year is Learn - Lead – Serve,” Dodson said. “This year we have added a food drive called ‘Operation Full Plate.’ This will benefit ATLAS Students in the county. We want to encourage the kids to bring in items.”
Those donations alone can’t feed the 1,700 students who need food, he said.
Businesses, individuals, civic groups and churches are asked to make donations to help the children.
If you want to donate, you may bring food items to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office lobby by the flagpole.
Check the flyer for the foods the children can prepare in a motel room with a microwave or they can eat without warming.
Dodson thanks everyone in advance for their donations.
