Off the side of U.S.-129 on a sunny October day, Michael Meaders playfully tossed a Pink Lady apple to a young boy visiting his produce and peanut stand. It’s a game he plays with all young visitors, who then get to take the apple home for free.
This day was made out of the ordinary for Meaders when the boy tossed the apple back to him — no child had ever done that before.
In White County, where he is fondly known as “Poppa Mike,” Meaders’ contributions to children are much more than an apple. From 2017 to July 2024, Meaders donated nearly $16,000 to alleviate White County students’ unpaid lunch debt.
Credit: Ella Kroll
Credit: Ella Kroll
Meaders’ first donation, $50 in cash from his pocket, was made after stopping by a local elementary school with a friend and asking the principal if any kids needed their lunch paid for. After learning how much money was owed across the county’s elementary schools, he began collecting donations in a jar at his produce stand. Now, nearly 10 years since his first donation, Meaders’ efforts are going strong.
“There’s no kid — if I know, if I can find out about it — that’s going to be hungry,” Meaders said.
White County, a rural area spanning 240 square miles with a population of just under 30,000, had a child poverty rate of 19.8% in 2023. Meaders, whose family has called the county home since 1823, has made it his mission to remedy the effects.
“(The kids) didn’t ask to be brought in this world,” Meaders said, with tears coming to his eyes. “I gotta take care of them.”
Meaders said since garnering attention from outside the county, he’s received calls from people living as far away as Montana and California who have been interested in donating.
“I enjoy being known, but it’s not for my benefit,” Meaders said. “I’ve been a giver all my life.”
The county recently received a USDA Community Eligibility Provision that will cover all K-12 students’ breakfasts, lunches and after-school snacks for the next four years. In lieu of paying off school lunch debt, Meaders’ donations now cover things such as students’ clothing, basic necessities, medical bills and more.
“He said, ‘I’m not going to quit giving. I know there are needs,’” said Jill Baughman, director of state and federal programs for White County School System. “And he was right, there are.”
Credit: Ella Kroll
Credit: Ella Kroll
Baughman has known Meaders all her life, with her mother having gone through school with him and Baughman herself having gone through school with his youngest son. She considers Meaders a gift to the county.
“He always says, ‘Anything, anything to help these kids,’” Baughman said. “He’s just phenomenal and a treasure.”
Meaders works at his stand Fridays through Sundays as long as the warm weather lasts. He begins preparing his peanuts — which he refers to as “Southern caviar” — on Wednesdays to ensure their freshness. He sources his produce from surrounding areas — “top-quality stuff” that isn’t grown in greenhouses, he said.
When “Poppa Mike” is behind the stand, visitors can expect old-fashioned hospitality, a taste of “Southern caviar” and faith in a charitable cause.
“This is local, and this is love,” Baughman said. “And that describes it best.”
HOW TO HELP
Michael Meaders’ produce and peanut stand is at 2213 U.S.-129, Cleveland, next to North Georgia Auto Finders. Donations are accepted via Venmo (@poppamikeskids) and in a donation jar at his stand.
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