As the economic pressures of housing, health care, and grocery costs continue to mount, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is calling on Georgians to 'Play Your Part' this September during Hunger Action Month. The organization, which serves a 29-county region as a central logistics hub, reports that it is currently assisting 70% more neighbors than it did in 2022, marking the highest demand in its history.
According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, more than 900,000 people, including over 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity across metro Atlanta and north Georgia in 2024. That translates to 1 in 7 neighbors facing hunger. The situation is exacerbated by recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have resulted in over 100,000 Georgians—nearly 40% of them children—losing benefits, with further reductions possible this fall.
The Food Bank highlights a growing gap in assistance: more than 68% of people facing hunger in its service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. Among food-insecure children, 40% may not qualify for food assistance programs, a significant increase from 31% in the previous year. Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, explains, "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."
In response, the Food Bank is launching several initiatives throughout September. Donations made during the month will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, with every dollar providing up to six meals. Supporters can contribute at the donation page. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for shifts at the Food Bank's East Point headquarters or at its Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta, with available times listed at acfb.org/volunteer.
The organization is also promoting a '30 Ways in 30 Days' challenge on social media, offering daily actions to raise awareness and fight hunger. Community members are urged to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month, and to engage in advocacy efforts by exploring policy solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity.
Hunger Action Day will be observed on Tuesday, September 29, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to light up orange. The Atlanta Community Food Bank, which distributed its one billionth meal in 2023, emphasizes that collective action is crucial. With more than 700 community-based partners, the organization works to ensure that all neighbors have access to nutritious meals. As the need continues to rise, the Food Bank's call for community involvement underscores the urgency of addressing food insecurity in the region.
