North Georgia Home Group owners Josh and Laura Anderson (left) present a check to Clarkesville Elementary School Principal Patrick Franklin and Assistant Principal Georgia Pitts. The Andersons paid the outstanding student lunch bills at all of Habersham County’s elementary schools. (Kim Canup/CES)
Hundreds of Habersham County elementary school students and their families got a pleasant surprise when they returned to class earlier this month after Christmas break. They learned that a local realty company picked up the tab for their unpaid lunch bills.
North Georgia Home Group donated more than $2700 to pay off the outstanding lunch debts at the county’s eight elementary schools.
Laura and Josh Anderson own the Demorest-based realty business. The couple paid off the lunch debt at Clarkesville Elementary School in 2017. Laura says they were inspired to do more this past year by former Clarkesville Elementary school counselor Nancy Cathcart.
“(Cathcart) explained that she was so grateful for our generosity because presents and gifts are a nice donation for those in need this time of year but food is a necessity,” explains Laura. “That really struck a nerve with us.”
The Anderson’s generous donation cleared approximately 300 student accounts in December.
“This is the first time that someone has paid all elementary lunch charges,” says Director of Nutrition Services Andrea Thomas. “This gesture has been such a blessing for the students, families and schools.”
It was a blessing for the Andersons as well.
“We had a blast going to each school and meeting so many appreciative staff members,” says Laura. “It was heart warming and we can’t wait to do it again!”
