Trion Elementary School’s own Mrs. Tina Lee recently stood alongside Georgia State Superintendent Richard Woods at the NOURISH Helping Hands Conference held at Emory University, shedding light on the profound impact of the “Helping Hands Ending Hunger” (HHEH) program. Mrs. Lee spoke about the initiative’s importance and the tangible difference it continues to make in her community and across the state.

HHEH, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016, is on a powerful mission to combat childhood food insecurity, significantly reduce school food waste, support academic success, and promote healthier communities. At the heart of HHEH’s strategy is its groundbreaking “Kids Helping Kids” initiative. This program empowers student leaders to become agents of change, rescuing uneaten yet perfectly good food from school meals and redirecting it to families struggling with hunger. A central tenet of the program is the powerful message: food is medicine, not waste.

A testament to its rigorous standards and persistent advocacy, HHEH proudly operates the only program in Georgia formally reviewed and approved by both the Department of Public Health and the Department of Education/School Nutrition. This approval ensures the safe recovery of cold-stored items like milk, yogurt, cheese, and fruit, alongside packaged dry goods, for redistribution during weekends and school breaks—times when childhood hunger is most acute.

Beyond its humanitarian impact, HHEH also offers practical benefits for participating schools. As a nonprofit adhering to strict food safety guidelines, it effectively eliminates liability concerns for food donors under both state and federal “Good Samaritan” laws. Furthermore, the program’s unique student-led model ensures minimal involvement from school staff once implemented, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into existing school routines.

During the Emory conference, Mrs. Lee shared Trion Elementary’s experience with HHEH, highlighting how the program not only addresses critical nutritional needs but also instills valuable leadership and community service ethics in its student participants. Her presentation underscored the program’s role in transforming potential waste into nourishment and fostering a more supportive environment for students and families.

The recognition at such a prominent state-level event underscores the innovative and effective approach HHEH takes to a pervasive challenge. By turning potential waste into nourishment, and empowering young leaders in the process, the “Kids Helping Kids” program, championed by dedicated educators like Mrs. Tina Lee, is not just feeding children; it’s building a foundation for healthier, more engaged communities across Georgia.