The Atlanta Community Food Bank is calling on Georgians to "Play Your Part" this September during Hunger Action Month, as the organization faces unprecedented demand amid rising costs and changes to SNAP eligibility. The Food Bank, which serves a 29-county region, is now providing food to 70% more neighbors than in 2022, highlighting the escalating crisis.
According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, over 900,000 people, including 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity in metro Atlanta and north Georgia in 2024—that's 1 in 7 neighbors. The situation is exacerbated by recent policy changes: more than 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of them children, have lost SNAP benefits, with further reductions possible this fall. Additionally, over 68% of food-insecure individuals in the service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023, and 40% of food-insecure children are ineligible for assistance programs, a significant jump from 31%.
"The majority of the neighbors we serve are working," said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "More than two-thirds of our neighbors facing hunger earn too much to qualify for SNAP and too little to cover groceries once rent, gas, and health care are paid. That gap is where the Food Bank lives, and it is growing."
To address this, the Food Bank has launched several initiatives for Hunger Action Month. A key component is a dollar-for-dollar matching campaign, up to $100,000, for all donations made in September. Every $1 donated can provide up to six meals, and contributions can be made at the Food Bank's donation page.
Volunteers are also needed to sort and package food at the Food Bank's headquarters in East Point or at Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta. Available shifts can be found at acfb.org/volunteer. The organization is also promoting a 30 Ways in 30 Days challenge on social media, offering daily actions to fight hunger. Supporters are encouraged to wear orange, the color of hunger relief, and to advocate for policies that address food insecurity through resources like Feeding America's action center.
On Hunger Action Day, Tuesday, Sept. 29, landmarks across Atlanta are expected to "Light Up Orange" to raise visibility. The Food Bank emphasizes that collective action is crucial, as it distributed its one billionth meal in 2023 and continues to rely on community support to meet the growing need. As Waide stated, "During Hunger Action Month, we encourage the community to give, volunteer, and speak up, and join us in our work to help close that gap."
