Dot Foods’ Georgia Distribution Center Helps Bring First Summer STEM Camp to Vidalia City Schools
Dot Foods, Inc., North America’s largest less-thantruckload consolidator in the food industry, helped Vidalia City Schools expand hands-on STEM learning this summer through a $7,500 donation from its Georgia distribution center in Vidalia. The donation supported the district’s first summer STEM camp through the Indian Innovation STEM Lab.
The free camp was held June 22-26, 2026, at Sally D. Meadows Elementary School. It served nearly 25 rising third- through fifthgrade students and ran from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. On Friday, campers participated in a STEM field trip to the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon.
Emily Powell was the camp coordinator, and Misty Carter and Emilee Whitaker were camp assistants.
Dot Foods’ donation helped purchase materials and snacks for students and funded a teacher and paraprofessional to lead the camp.
“At Dot Foods, we're committed to investing in the communities where our employees live and work. Supporting Vidalia City Schools' first STEM camp was an opportunity to help local students explore new ideas, build confidence through hands-on learning, and discover future career possibilities,” said Wendy Nolen, human resources manager at Dot Foods. We're proud to partner with organizations that create meaningful opportunities for young people and strengthen our community for years to come.'
The camp was new for Vidalia City Schools in 2026 and built on the district’s launch of the Woz ED STEM Program during the 2025-26 school year. The program provides STEM curriculum and career pathways designed to introduce students to future-focused skills and careers. Vidalia City Schools has purchased several Woz ED career pathways and hopes to add more in the future, including agriculture.
During the summer camp, students took part in hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and excitement for STEM. Camp activities focused on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, engineering and design challenges. Students also explored realworld STEM concepts and innovative career pathways in a fun, interactive setting.
“As a district, this past year we launched a pre-K through 12th grade STEM program, and we were excited about the opportunity to extend this learning into the summer for our students,” said Sarah Craft, curriculum director at Vidalia City Schools. “Dot opened this door for us by providing this generous donation, and our district is very thankful.”
Dot Foods supports STEM education through its corporate charitable efforts, including work at its Mt. Sterling, Illinois, headquarters and local community support at its distribution center locations.
“Supporting STEM education is one of the ways Dot Foods invests in the communities where our employees live and work,” said Suzy Parn, director of Dot Foods’ Corporate Charitable Oversight Committee. “We were thrilled to see our Vidalia team help bring this opportunity to local students and support the district’s work to build interest in STEM from an early age.”
“Community support makes a difference for our schools and students,” Craft said. “We are grateful to Dot Foods for helping us give young learners more opportunities to explore STEM, ask questions, and build confidence through handson activities.” About Dot Foods and Dot Transportation Dot Foods, Inc. carries 130,000 products from 1,500 food industry manufacturers, making it North America’s largest less-thantruckload consolidator in the food industry. Through Dot Transportation, Inc., an affiliate of Dot Foods, the company distributes foodservice, convenience, retail, and vending products to distributors in all 50 states and more than 55 countries. Dot Foods operates 13 U.S. distribution centers, which are located in Bullhead City, Arizona; Modesto, California; Bear, Delaware; Vidalia, Georgia; Burley, Idaho; Mt. Sterling, Illinois; University Park, Illinois; Cambridge City, Indiana; Williamsport, Maryland; Liverpool, New York; Ardmore, Oklahoma; Dyersburg, Tennessee; and Manchester, Tennessee. Dot Foods' Canadian operations are located in Ingersoll, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta. For information, visit Dot-Foods.com.
Dot Foods and Dot Transportation are both looking to fill several positions for full and part-time drivers and warehouse personnel at all U.S. locations. To learn more about careers at Dot Foods visit Careers. DotFoods.com. For more on opportunities available with Dot Transportation, visit DotTransportation. com.
Eva and Emma work on a stem activity during the Vidalia City Schools summer camp.
Cameron, Eli, and Sencere take part in a hands-on activity during the Vidalia City Schools summer stem camp. Annalise, Myra, and Annistyn are pictured in the background.
Eva and Emma participate in an activity during the Vidalia City Schools summer stem camp. Aria is in the background.
Rhett, Kohen, and Cameron work together during the Vidalia City Schools summer stem camp.
Aria, Emma, and Deshawn participate in a hands-on activity during the camp field trip to the museum of arts and sciences in Macon.
