As the cost of housing, health care, and groceries continues to climb, and recent changes to SNAP eligibility have left many households without crucial support, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is rallying Georgians to join the fight against hunger this September during Hunger Action Month. The organization, which serves as the central logistics hub for a 29-county region, is facing an unprecedented demand for its services, providing 70% more food than it did in 2022.
According to Feeding America's most recent Map the Meal Gap study, more than 900,000 people in metro Atlanta and north Georgia, including over 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024—that’s 1 in 7 neighbors. The situation is exacerbated by policy shifts: over 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of them children, have lost SNAP benefits under changes enacted last year, with further reductions possible this fall. Compounding the issue, more than 68% of those facing hunger in the Food Bank’s service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023, and 40% of food-insecure children may not qualify for assistance, up from 31%.
“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,” said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “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 growing need, the Food Bank is launching several initiatives throughout September. Supporters can donate, and every dollar contributed during the month will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, with a $1 donation providing up to six meals. Volunteers are also needed to sort and package food at the Food Bank’s East Point headquarters or at one of its Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta; available shifts can be found 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 people can take to fight hunger. Residents are encouraged to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month, and to advocate for policies that help eliminate hunger by exploring issue areas and making their voices heard.
The campaign will culminate on Hunger Action Day, Tuesday, Sept. 29, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to light up orange. Hunger Action Month is observed each September by the Feeding America network of over 250 food banks nationwide, and supporters are urged to share their actions 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, productive lives. Through more than 700 community-based nonprofit partners, the organization helped distribute its one billionth meal in 2023. The Food Bank’s goal is that all hungry people across metro Atlanta and north Georgia will have access to the nutritious meals they need, when they need them—but it takes the power of the whole community to make that possible.
