The Atlanta Community Food Bank is calling on Georgians to 'Play Your Part' this September during Hunger Action Month, as new data reveals a deepening hunger crisis in the region. With housing, healthcare, and grocery costs soaring, and recent changes to SNAP eligibility adding strain, the Food Bank is serving 70% more neighbors than in 2022—the highest 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's 1 in 7 neighbors. The situation is exacerbated by policy changes: over 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of them children, have lost SNAP benefits, and further reductions may take effect this fall. Consequently, more than 68% of food-insecure individuals in the 29-county area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. For children, that number is 40%, up from 31%.
Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, emphasized the reality for 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 29 counties, offers multiple ways for the community to take action. Donations made in September will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000, with every $1 providing up to six meals. Gifts can be made at Donate | Atlanta Community Food Bank. Volunteers can sign up for shifts at the East Point headquarters or at Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta via acfb.org/volunteer.
Throughout September, the Food Bank is promoting its '30 Ways in 30 Days' challenge on social media, offering daily actions to fight hunger. Residents are also encouraged to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—and to advocate for policies that address hunger. Hunger Action Day is Tuesday, Sept. 29, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to 'Light Up Orange.'
The urgency of this campaign is underscored by the fact that in 2023, the Atlanta Community Food Bank distributed its one billionth meal. Yet, with more neighbors than ever in need, the Food Bank's work is far from done. By giving, volunteering, or speaking up, Georgians can help ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. As Waide noted, closing the gap between income and food costs is a collective responsibility.
