As the economic pressures of housing, health care, and groceries continue to mount, compounded by recent changes in SNAP eligibility, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is calling on Georgians to take action this September during Hunger Action Month. The Food Bank, which serves a 29-county region, is witnessing an unprecedented demand for its services, now providing 70% more food than it did in 2022. According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, over 900,000 people in the area, including more than 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024—that's 1 in 7 neighbors.
The situation is exacerbated by policy changes that have stripped SNAP benefits from more than 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of whom are children. Further reductions are possible this fall. Currently, over 68% of those facing hunger in the service area do not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023, and 40% of food-insecure children are ineligible for assistance, up from 31%. This leaves a growing gap between what families earn and what they need to afford basic necessities.
Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, emphasized the reality for many: "The majority of the neighbors we serve are working. 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. 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."
To address this crisis, the Food Bank has outlined several ways for the community to get involved. Financial contributions are being matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 throughout September, with every dollar providing up to six meals. Donations can be made at Donate | Atlanta Community Food Bank. Volunteers are also needed to sort and package food at the East Point headquarters or at Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta, with shifts listed at acfb.org/volunteer.
The Food Bank is also promoting its 30 Ways in 30 Days challenge on social media, offering daily suggestions for fighting hunger, and encouraging supporters to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month to raise awareness. Additionally, advocates are urged to explore policies that can help eliminate hunger through resources like Feeding America Action.
Hunger Action Day will be observed on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with landmarks across Atlanta expected to light up orange in solidarity. As part of the nationwide Feeding America network, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is committed to ensuring every neighbor has access to nutritious meals. With the community's support, they aim to continue their mission of ending hunger in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.
