The Atlanta Community Food Bank is calling on Georgians to "Play Your Part" this September during Hunger Action Month, as the organization faces unprecedented demand. With soaring costs for housing, health care, and groceries, coupled with recent changes to SNAP eligibility, the Food Bank reports it 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, representing 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. More than 68% of those facing hunger in the 29-county area served by the Food Bank may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. Among food-insecure children, 40% 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."
The Food Bank, which serves as the central logistics hub for 29 counties, is encouraging residents to take part in several ways. Every dollar donated during September will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, and each dollar can provide up to six meals. Gifts can be made at Donate | Atlanta Community Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to sort and package food at the East Point headquarters or at Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta, with shifts available at acfb.org/volunteer.
The Food Bank is also promoting a "30 Ways in 30 Days" challenge on social media, offering daily suggestions to fight hunger, and urging supporters to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month. Additionally, residents are encouraged to advocate for policies that address hunger by visiting Issue Areas - Feeding America Action.
Hunger Action Day is 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. Supporters can share their actions using #HungerActionMonth and tagging @acfb.
The urgency is clear: with more than two-thirds of food-insecure residents in the area not qualifying for SNAP, the gap between need and assistance is widening. The Atlanta Community Food Bank's initiatives aim to bridge that gap, but sustained community involvement is critical. As Waide emphasized, the Food Bank relies on the collective effort of the community to ensure all neighbors have access to nutritious meals.
