The Atlanta Community Food Bank is marking Hunger Action Month this September by urging Georgians to 'Play Your Part' in the fight against food insecurity. With housing, healthcare, and grocery costs continuing to rise, and recent changes to SNAP eligibility adding further strain, the Food Bank is serving more neighbors than at any point in its history—70% more than in 2022. According to Feeding America's most recent 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, representing 1 in 7 neighbors.
The urgency is underscored by the impact of SNAP policy changes: more than 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of them children, have lost benefits under changes enacted last year, with further reductions possible this fall. Additionally, over 68% of people facing hunger in the 29-county area served by the Food Bank may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023, and 40% of food-insecure children may not qualify for food assistance programs, up from 31%. These statistics reveal a widening gap between those who need help and those who can access it.
Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, highlighted the paradox facing many families: '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.'
The Food Bank, which serves as the central logistics hub for a 29-county region, is offering multiple ways for the public to get involved. Donations made during September will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000, with every dollar providing up to six meals; contributions can be made at Donate | Atlanta Community Food Bank. Volunteers can sign up for shifts at the Food Bank's East Point headquarters or at Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta, with available shifts listed at acfb.org/volunteer.
In addition to giving and volunteering, the Food Bank is promoting a '30 Ways in 30 Days' challenge on social media, offering daily suggestions for actions to fight hunger, and encouraging supporters to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month to show support. The Food Bank also urges advocates to explore policies and programs to help eliminate hunger through Feeding America Action.
The month will culminate on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with Hunger Action Day, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to light up orange. Hunger Action Month is observed each September by the Feeding America network of more than 250 food banks nationwide. Supporters can share how they are taking action using #HungerActionMonth and tagging @acfb.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works to end hunger by providing food, people, and big ideas to ensure neighbors have the nourishment to lead healthy and productive lives. Through more than 700 community-based nonprofit partners in 29 counties, the organization helped distribute its one billionth meal in 2023. As the crisis deepens, the Food Bank's call to action is a critical reminder that food insecurity affects a significant portion of the community, and collective effort is essential to ensure no neighbor goes hungry.
