When the world came to a standstill in March 2020, Jennifer Barnes, Sonia Simon, and Erin Olivier refused to sit idly by. Instead, they turned the chaos of a global pandemic into an opportunity to uplift their Sandy Springs neighbors. What began as a small gesture of kindness—a plan to help feed ten families for 2 weeks—has grown into a lifeline for hundreds in the community, known as Solidarity Sandy Springs.
In just under two weeks after Atlanta’s Covid shutdown, Barnes, Simon, and Olivier had assembled a team of 15 volunteers, sourced enough food to feed 60 families, and set up a temporary pantry in a local restaurant. On their first day of operation, the demand outstripped their supply, leaving 30 families still waiting in line when the food ran out. Determined to help, the group rallied overnight and returned the next day with enough food for 105 families. Thus, Solidarity Sandy Springs was born.
Nearly five years later, this grassroots effort has grown into a well-organized operation that supports an average of 750-800 shoppers every week, each feeding 4-5 family members. In 2024 alone, the organization distributed over an astounding 1.2 million pounds of food.
Located at 6315 Roswell Road, behind the Sandy Springs Trader Joe’s, the pantry emphasizes health-conscious offerings, ensuring there are 10-15 items of fresh produce weekly. The only requirement to shop? Proof of residence or employment in Sandy Springs.
The pantry is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For emergencies outside of those hours, a structure on-site—donated by a local Girl Scout troop—provides 24/7 access to essential items.
Stories of Transformation
Beyond providing food, Solidarity Sandy Springs is a beacon of hope for individuals facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. One of these heartwarming stories involves a homeless man who turned his life around with the organization’s support. He was a regular shopper at the pantry whom they knew well by name, and one day he asked them for help. They were able to help him secure temporary housing and a job at a nearby country club. He purchased a bicycle for transportation. Today, he works full-time at a large grocery store, has his own home, and volunteers regularly at the pantry—completing the circle of giving. Barnes relays that Solidarity has several steady volunteers who are former shoppers.
“These stories are what keep us going,” says Barnes. “Seeing people’s lives improve is the ultimate reward.”
Expanding Their Mission
While the pantry remains the heart of Solidarity Sandy Springs, the organization has branched out to address other community needs. They host events such as children’s shopping days, where kids can select holiday gifts for their families. Barnes loves to see the joy the children get from giving as well as receiving.
Solidarity Sandy Springs runs 2 monthly pop-ups, at the Dorothy Benson Complex, a multi-purpose center for seniors, and the Sterling Place Apartments, HUD subsidized housing. “When we reached out to Sterling Place, we learned their greatest need was cleaning supplies,” Barnes recalls. “So, for Valentine’s Day, we delivered bags of cleaning products.”
Solidarity also provides back-to-school backpacks and has partnered with one local hospital to offer health screenings. Barnes dreams of larger health initiatives but acknowledges that their primary focus will always be food.
The Power of Community
For Barnes, the rewards go beyond the tangible. “Knowing we’ve lifted a load for people, taken away stress, and created joy—that’s what it’s all about,” she says. “That, and making lives better… not only for shoppers, but also for volunteers.” Barnes says she loves seeing the meaningful impact that volunteering has on people because, after all, our communities are dependent upon everyone pitching in where they can.
Solidarity Sandy Springs is proof of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and determination. As Barnes puts it, “Just say “Yes”, people are built for more. They want to help.” She adds, “If you set it up, people are into it.”
Whether by donating food, volunteering time, or simply spreading the word, Solidarity Sandy Springs invites everyone to join in making a difference. Together, they are creating lasting change within our community.
When the Fulton County Board of Education announced in 2024 that they were considering closing Spalding Drive Elementary School in Sandy Springs as well as Parklane Elementary School in East Point, hundreds of Sandy Springs residents impacted by the potential closing decided to fight back.
But this was not a rowdy group of just poster-raising, complaining, angry loud-mouths. Rather, they were intelligent, professional individuals who combined their educational backgrounds, research abilities, and public relations skills to produce a detailed document and well-thought-out website to argue that the elementary school in their neighborhood should not be closed.
“When the news came out in September” that the Fulton County Board of Education proposed closing Spalding Drive Elementary, “we all were shocked and surprised,” said Lauren Rosenbaum, co-president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Spalding, and mother of two current students at the school and another child who formerly attended Spalding.
According to the website that Rosenbaum and other parents created, “Save Spalding Drive Elementary is a community-driven initiative dedicated to preventing the closure of Spalding Drive Elementary School. Located in the heart of our neighborhood, this school has been a beacon of academic excellence and community engagement for decades. With its smaller class sizes, personalized learning environments, and a longstanding tradition of high achievement, Spalding Drive offers students the foundation they need to succeed academically and socially.”
It further noted the Fulton County School Board is considering closing “this essential institution” due to “temporary declines in enrollment.”
“We believe that the closure of Spalding Drive would be a short-sighted decision with long-term consequences for our children, property values, and the neighborhood as a whole. In addition to its educational significance, Spalding Drive is one of the earliest buildings designed by the renowned architect John C. Portman, making it a valuable part of Atlanta’s architectural heritage.
“Our mission is simple: to rally together as a community to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open. Through advocacy, outreach, and education, we are committed to demonstrating the importance of this school to the School Board, local officials, and families across the district.”
This community endeavor has received kudos from Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul. “Nothing is more powerful than a well-organized, passionate, and accurately informed group of citizens. The Spalding Drive Elementary group epitomizes all those attributes,” he wrote to SandySprings.com.
Indeed, not only does the group, and the website (savesde.com) provide detailed counterarguments about why their local elementary school – located at 130 W. Spalding Drive — should remain open, they also instruct supportive residents what NOT to do. In a section called “what not to do”, they list: Do NOT organize at the school or use school facilities; Do NOT place flyers inside mailboxes, but flyers can be taped to mailboxes or hung from them; We CANNOT use the electric sign in front of the school; Do NOT ask for endorsements from Spalding faculty or staff; and Do NOT include endorsements from any staff in communications to the board or teachers.
Probably most important, however, the Save Spalding Committee has conducted a thorough analysis of the Fulton County School Board’s proposal for the closure of their school. Rosenbaum said among the school’s parents are lawyers and data analysts, “a diverse group of parents with various skills who contributed” to the more than 100-page report.
“The dedicated group of parents went through old records, looked for inconsistencies, researched other schools and compiled a lot of information,” explained Rosenbaum. She added that a Facebook group with over 800 members of current and former parents and community members support the efforts.
In the report’s executive summary, the committee notes: “Our analysis reveals significant flaws in the Fulton County Schools (FCS) consolidation rationale, both in terms of enrollment capacity models and facility condition assessments, and underscores the importance of thoughtful, data-driven decision-making that prioritizes community stability, academic quality, and transparent communication.”
According to the committee, “enrollment and capacity models do not support closure.” It contends that “closing Spalding, a smaller school operating near optimal capacity, would barely reduce the district’s surplus of empty classrooms.” Moreover, the committee states that the school system used “contradictory and inconsistent models” which resulted in “contradictory conclusions about overcrowding and available space, calling into question the reliability of the data used to justify closure.”
The executive summary also states that “recent open enrollment policies and extensive private school options in Sandy Springs introduce significant uncertainty into enrollment forecasts. Closing Spalding could drive families out of the system entirely, undermining the district’s goals and stability.”
In addition, the enrollment at the elementary school is expected to rise, the committee asserts. “Spalding’s growing Pre-K and Kindergarten enrollment should be considered as indicators of future growth.” The school, opened in 1966, currently serves children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Lastly, the group argues that there were disparities and errors in the data and messaging relayed by the school board.
Among the myths that the Save Spalding Committee was anxious to dispel was that the Fulton County School Board already decided to close the elementary school. Although a recommendation has already been made, a final decision won’t be made until this year, with any possible changes to impact the 2025-2026 school year.“The school is a great asset to our community and a wonderful neighborhood school,” added Rosenbaum. “We’ve had a wonderful experience at the school and want to maintain that for future Spalding Tigers.”
Sandy Springs is a vibrant and growing city just north of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s where beautiful residential neighborhoods meet world-class amenities, and all within a short drive from downtown. If you’re looking for high-end shopping, you’re a foodie looking for your next culinary treat, or even an outdoor adventurer looking for a great place to get away in the woods, Sandy Springs has got you covered!
Sandy Springs offers plenty of community activities to go along with its quiet neighborhoods and beautiful homes. The Performing Arts Center and live music on the City Green at City Springs are just the beginning. There is a lot going on for residents and visitors alike.
