The Atlanta Community Food Bank is marking Hunger Action Month this September by calling on Georgians to 'Play Your Part' in the fight against hunger. With the combined pressures of rising housing, health care, and grocery costs, and recent changes to SNAP eligibility, the Food Bank reports that it is serving more neighbors than at any point in its history—70% more than in 2022. According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, over 900,000 people, including more than 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity across metro Atlanta and north Georgia in 2024, meaning 1 in 7 neighbors face hunger.
The situation is exacerbated by policy shifts: more than 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, over 68% of food-insecure individuals in the Food Bank's 29-county service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. For children, 40% may not be eligible for food assistance, a significant rise from 31%.
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.'
To address this escalating need, the Food Bank is offering several ways for the public to get involved. Donations made in September will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000, with each dollar providing up to six meals. Gifts 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 times listed at acfb.org/volunteer.
The Food Bank is also promoting a '30 Ways in 30 Days' challenge on social media to raise awareness and provide daily actions to combat hunger. Supporters are encouraged to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month, and to advocate for policies that address the root causes of food insecurity by visiting Issue Areas - Feeding America Action. Hunger Action Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to 'Light Up Orange' to show solidarity.
This year's Hunger Action Month comes at a critical time. The Food Bank, which distributed its billionth meal in 2023, serves as the central logistics hub for a 29-county region, working with over 700 community-based partners to provide healthy food to thousands of families, children, and seniors. As the demand for food assistance continues to surge, the call to action is clear: every Georgian can play a part in ensuring neighbors have the nourishment they need to thrive. By giving, volunteering, or raising their voice, individuals can help bridge the gap between limited resources and the growing need, making a tangible difference in the fight against hunger.
