Dalton, GA — Hammond Creek Middle School and Park Creek Elementary School are continuing to foster a strong culture of community care, leadership, and sustainability through their ongoing partnership with the Helping Hands Organization.

The majority of Dalton Public Schools’ campuses participate in the Helping Hands program, and the district is proud of the students, staff, and families who contribute at each one. The efforts at Hammond Creek Middle School and Park Creek Elementary School illustrate the program’s impact across the district.

The Helping Hands program brings together staff, students, and community partners to fight local food insecurity while teaching students the value of social responsibility and kindness.

Student volunteers at both schools help this program run smoothly. Each morning and during lunch periods, they assist by sorting items. Unopened items such as fresh fruit, dairy products, and packaged foods are placed in designated coolers and food bins, ensuring that quality food is redirected to students and families rather than thrown away.

Student volunteers at HCMS, including Carina Reynoso Morales, Landon Ball, Gideon Barton, and Me’ah Tanner, have demonstrated exceptional initiative, organization, and a genuine passion for helping others.

As another part of the Helping Hands program, Hammond Creek Middle School introduced a shared Snack Fridge located in the Compass area. Restocked daily with fresh fruit, dairy products, and healthy options, the fridge is available to any student needing a quick snack during class transitions or with teacher permission.

“The Helping Hands program has become a wonderful part of our culture at HCMS," said Joycelyn Richards, HCMS School Counselor. "It’s exciting to see our entire student body participate. We have very responsible student leaders that work to keep everything organized.”

“Since the implementation of the Helping Hands program at HCMS, we have received great feedback from teachers and students,” said Clemencia Ixcoy, Hammond Creek’s School Social Worker and Helping Hands Coordinator.

In addition to daily snacks, the Helping Hands program provides critical weekend meal packages for local families. Families can register through the schools’ social worker to receive a weekly distribution that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, family-sized portions of meat, and nonperishable food items.

“Our Helping Hands program is a wonderful example of our school community coming together to care for one another,” said Stephanie Taylor, Park Creek's School Counselor. “By providing families with unopened cafeteria food and pantry items from our local food bank, the Helping Hands program helps ease food insecurity, reduce food waste, and extend support beyond the school day.”

The program also gives students a hands-on way to practice the values behind it. At Park Creek, students take an active role in deciding what gets shared, helping make sure good food reaches families instead of the trash.

“It also teaches students the importance of kindness and social responsibility by encouraging them to place unwanted food in the designated keep bin, ensuring it can benefit others rather than being thrown away.”

For Taylor, the impact is clearest in the small moments that happen as students head home at the end of the week.

“Once, a student told me that their family was ‘going to be so happy’ as they were carrying their bag to go home. I believe the Helping Hands program is a meaningful way to support families by extending access to food and essential resources beyond the school week.”

Dalton Public Schools thanks the students, staff, families, and community partners who make the Helping Hands program possible across the district. The district looks forward to continuing this partnership to support students and families throughout the school year.