Hartford Healthcare’s food service partnered with Compass One to donate free after-school snacks for hundreds of student-athletes.
Donations include pretzels, bottled water and granola bars.
Harding High School Principal Vernon Thompson says in the past, some student-athletes have been targets of crime when buying snacks before practice at nearby stores.
The organization said the partnership helps the school’s sports teams perform at their best, and it helps about 500 students per week.
“It’s more than just a snack. It’s bringing our community together, bringing our students together. What we want to build on is family and community,” said Thompson.
“It reinforces the fact that when you come together with community volunteerism, great things happen.”
Jaydon Brown a three-sport athlete at Harding High School says he’s grateful for the donation.
“It’s nice to know someone actually cares for the community,” Brown said.
The school’s principal said the donation helps fuel athletes, but most importantly, it keeps them safe.
According to Thompson, a student was recently robbed at gunpoint as he was getting snacks at a nearby location before practice.
Thompson says he hopes to expand the program in the future with healthier food options and extracurricular activities to keep students engaged.