Community collaboration in College Park addresses year-round needs

by Noah Washington

Jamel McKenzie, Mayor Pro Tem of College Park, is committed to fostering meaningful engagement between the public and private sectors to support residents in need. As Vice Mayor, McKenzie aims to alleviate economic stress for local families. On Friday, March 7, the city of College Park held “Together We Thrive Feeding Hope,” a community giveback event for the city’s residents, at the Keith James Auditorium. 

Multiple sponsors, such as Amazon, Ashley Furniture, and House Of Ramirez, came in to support the event, which was led by Food in the City ATL, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the less fortunate and strengthening the community by feeding the hungry. Jakeem Smith, founder and CEO, helped lead the charge in bringing together multiple sponsors and businesses to help make a tangible difference in the city.

Smith, whose organization has been serving the community for five years, emphasized the importance of holistic support beyond just providing food, “You gotta feed the heart, and there’s so many different ways to be fed, not just regular food,” Smith explained. 

Food in the City provided essential household items, including fresh produce, drinks like Celsius and Gatorade, and even beds from Ashley Furniture. Singer and songwriter RL Huggar of the R&B group Next and his wife Lena donated clothing and shoes, ensuring attendees had access to brand-new items still in their original packaging.

Planning such an event requires extensive coordination, and Smith said she believes the process is guided by faith and generosity.

“I allow God to move,” he said. I just made some phone calls, and people want to help.” The organization also focuses on long-term assistance, selecting about ten people per month to receive beds and prioritizing those in the greatest need. “A lot of them are still sleeping on the floor, so we’re definitely trying to change that narrative for the community,” Smith stated.

McKenzie highlighted the necessity of consistent outreach beyond major holidays.

“People have needs throughout the year,” McKenzie said. “Even when people have jobs, they still have needs, and this is just a way to ease some of the economic stress and tension put on our families and citizens.” 

Mckenzie added, “With 76% of College Park residents being renters and a median income of $40,000, many families struggle to make ends meet, ” McKenzie cited.

In addition to providing material support, the event also encouraged civic engagement. Kemo O’Riley, a senior canvasser for the New Georgia Project, attended to register voters and stress the importance of local elections.

“We actually have several elections going on this year, and we also have an important election next year that affects Georgians,” O’Riley said. “A lot of people didn’t come out for the presidential race, and we really need you guys to come out for Georgia.” 

Her message to attendees was clear: “Love your community, love yourself, and get out to vote.”

Beyond addressing economic needs, the event also brought attention to College Park’s Black history and ongoing preservation efforts. Charles Dill, a representative from “Preserving the History of Original African Americans” (P.H.O.A.A.), a group dedicated to preserving the history of African Americans in College Park, volunteered for the event to advocate for the protection of the city’s Black heritage.

“The Black community has been desecrated around here, and we’re trying to preserve the history of the original Black neighborhoods,” Dill stated. 

With a turnout expected to reach between 100 and 200 attendees, McKenzie expressed her hope that participants would feel valued and supported by their city.

 “I want them to feel like their city cares. I want them to feel like they matter,” she said. 

Volunteers were encouraged to treat every guest with dignity and respect, reinforcing a sense of community solidarity. Moving forward, College Park aims to hold similar events at least ten months out of the year, excluding summer months when the venue is used for other programs.