Riverwood International Charter Students Feed Frontline Workers

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — In response to the heightened stress placed on healthcare workers professionals treating COVID-19 patients, a group of Riverwood International Charter School 11th graders have created Food for the Frontlines, a project to provide fresh, hot, restaurant food to healthcare workers.

The students, currently enrolled in Riverwood's International Baccalaureate program, were searching for a way to show their gratitude to frontline workers at hospitals in Athens and Atlanta. Thus far, they have donated 50 meals to Piedmont Regional Medical Center in Athens. The group has partnered with Jinya, a restaurant in Athens, to provide warm meals. They plan to deliver at least 100 more in the coming weeks and are selling unique, custom-embroidered t-shirts and soliciting donations to pay for the food

"Our goal is to provide ramen and rice meals to medical workers treating COVID-19 patients," said Food for the Frontlines founder Ashley Wang. "I hope these meals show our gratefulness for them and that the meals bring a little more happiness into their day."

The students, Ashley Wang, Lily Stouman, Aahil Lalani, Murphy Barja, and Bergen Thielen, have developed a business plan and have taken on unique roles to support the project. All planning meetings have been virtual due to social-distancing requirements. Wang is the founder and serves as the t-shirt designer/creator along with Stouman. Lalani is the financial officer who tracks donations and controls expenses, while Barja and Thielen handle packaging and delivery of the t-shirts. They have developed a website where they offer 11 different t-shirt designs.

Students in Riverwood's International Baccalaureate program complete Creativity, Activity, Service programs as part of the International Baccalaureate program course curriculum. Wang believes she will document Food for the Frontlines as her project.

"These students are exemplifying two of IB's core beliefs that are supported through the curricula and philosophy: service-learning and developing caring students," Riverwood International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator, Diane Kopkas, said.

Wang adds, "We don't think we are doing something amazing or out of the ordinary. It should be standard to say 'thank you' to those who show courage by going to work every day and risking not only their lives, but their families' lives as well. Anyone of any age can be making a difference in their community. Now there are no excuses of not having the time to do so."

For more information on Food for the Frontlines, visit foodforthefrontlines.weebly.com. You can also find them on Instagram @food4thefrontlines.