Kroger’s Atlanta Division donated $35,000 in nonperishable food items and gift cards to five HBCUs across the Southeast, including Paine College in Augusta.
The donation is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative. Paine College and Kroger hosted a “Pack the Pantry” event Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1235 15th St.
A business card led Alejandro LaPrade from years of failed surgeries to walking down the aisle.
Nearly 4 in 10 HBCU students face food insecurity
According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, nearly four in 10 students at HBCUs are food insecure.
Tammie Young-Ennaemba, head of communications and public affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, said hunger is a barrier for many students.
“Students are here to build a brighter, meaningful future. But unfortunately for many, hunger becomes a barrier,” Young-Ennaemba said. “With our ‘Pack the Pantry’ events, we are working to ensure students have the resources they need to achieve their dreams.”
Marla Choice, store manager at Kroger and a 1993 Paine College graduate, said the company recognized the need. “The Kroger company does see where there’s a need for this — four out of 10 students are concerned with food insecurity,” Choice said. “I wish we had something like this when I was a student at Paine.”
Students describe daily challenges
Zaniyah Baxter, a student leader at Paine College, said limited transportation and finances make accessing food difficult for many students.
“A lot of us don’t have money access or are as fortunate as other students to where we have access to go or even cars to go get food from different places,” Baxter said.
Student Rayvion Alexander said students find ways to manage. “We all pitch in and we make our own meals. Like, everybody pitch in, you know, $5, we’ll go make something in the dorm real quick and we’ll make it work,” Alexander said.
Baxter said she wants more attention on the issue. “We need to bring more awareness to it, focus to it. Because it’s like, why aren’t our students eating? What’s going on inside of the institutions?” she said.
Baxter also welcomed the donation. “People are acknowledging and seeing our struggles. We see it and we’re going to do something about it and that we’re helping. And I really love that,” she said.
Five HBCUs included in 2026 initiative
In addition to Paine College, Kroger partnered with Benedict College in Columbia, Savannah State University in Savannah, Tuskegee University in Tuskegee and the Atlanta University Center as part of its 2026 HBCU “Pack the Pantry” events.
