Food insecurity affects hundreds of Cross Keys High School students and staff members, an issue the 2025 class of Leadership Perimeter is addressing this spring.
Monthly food distribution events in Brookhaven and Chamblee serve approximately 2,000 people, many of whom do not have reliable transportation. Leadership Perimeter is calling for non-perishable donations for the Monday, April 21 event, which will be held at Cross Keys in Brookhaven.
At Cross Keys, 87 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and several of the students and faculty are reliant on the school’s food pantry to make ends meet.
The digital food drive stemmed from Leadership Perimeter classmates Dr. Yolanda Scott, who had already been collecting new and gently used winter items for Cross Keys, and Tremaine Bagley, who was inspired to help when she learned the school needed supplies and support in many areas.
“[Dr. Scott] made us aware of so many challenges that the students faced, including food insecurity,” Bagley said. “When she mentioned the food insecurity challenges, I really felt compelled to see firsthand what was happening. Meeting with school officials was truly, truly eye opening.”
Bagley worked with Cross Keys Principal Dr. Brittany Cunningham and SAFE Program Director Yazmin Acevedo-Mendez. SAFE (Student And Family Engagement Center) provides therapy, grief counseling, drug prevention, and career readiness workshops.
“What really struck me was learning that not just the students, but a lot of the staff members rely on the school’s food pantry to make ends meet,” Bagley said.
Bagley, who began delivering snacks to the high school, and her five classmates got to work planning a food drive. She said the mission of Leadership Perimeter is to inspire leaders to serve their communities for a lifetime.
“It’s never just about talking about the change. It’s about rolling up my sleeves and doing something tangible,” Bagley said.
The group had envisioned a “more traditional food collection and distribution event, which would have been very, very elaborate.” But as the school began construction on the $148 million renovation, they adapted to a more scalable plan. That’s where Leadership Perimeter training to stay flexible and adaptable came in handy, Bagley said.
“We quickly realized that what matters most isn’t the format, but the impact. So we pivoted to the digital donation drive approach for ease. Most of us shop on Amazon, so supporters can contribute within minutes as you’re doing your regular shopping or sitting in the car pool lane,” said Bagley, adding that items ordered through the link are shipped directly to Cross Keys.
Bagley thanked Brookhaven City Council Member John Funny for his support in the digital food drive. He had been an early and consistent champion who provided valuable guidance during our planning process, she said.
“What’s been particularly inspiring is seeing how people connect with the ‘why’ behind this project. The remarkable students, as you know, are already achieving incredible things, like the seven students being admitted early action to Georgia Tech which is the largest group from any DeKalb County school, despite facing significant challenges,” she said.
A back-to-school event is being planned for late summer to provide food and essential school supplies.
“We’re not just providing food; we’re supporting well-deserving students who demonstrate the power of community,” Bagley added.
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