This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Brad Johnson — the director of transportation for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
Johnson is being recognized for his efforts to help distribute food to kids during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were closed.
“The big question became, how are we going to see kids? Brad and his team immediately stepped up to the plate and offered us the drivers and the buses to deliver meals,” said Liz Cartano, the director of child nutrition for the school district.
On March 16, CHCCS had 20 delivery sites in place. That then became 37 sites across Chapel Hill and Carrboro, delivering about 3,600 meals to students.
“We identified families who maybe could not get to those sites for one reason or another, Brad immediately said, ‘Oh, we’ll drop the food off at their door.’
“So we have — I don’t even know how many families right now — they go from door to door, dropping off food to these families that maybe can’t get out.”
Those deliveries include not just food, but also school supplies, books and other enrichment activities that Johnson helped coordinate. Johnson’s team also helped during the holidays, when they put out 18,000 Thanksgiving meals in two hours.
“His kindness makes so many people feel valued everyday,” said Cartano.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines