The Atlanta Community Food Bank is marking Hunger Action Month this September by issuing an urgent call to Georgians: “Play Your Part.” As the costs of housing, health care, and groceries continue to climb, and recent changes to SNAP eligibility have left more households without vital food assistance, the Food Bank says the need has never been greater.
According to the Food Bank, it is currently serving more neighbors than at any point in its history—70% more than it did in 2022. A recent study by Feeding America, the Map the Meal Gap, estimates that more than 900,000 people, including more than 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity in metro Atlanta and north Georgia in 2024. That translates to 1 in 7 neighbors.
The situation is exacerbated by policy shifts. More than 100,000 Georgians, close to 40% of them children, have lost SNAP benefits under changes enacted last year, and further reductions could take effect this fall. The Food Bank notes that more than 68% of people facing hunger in its 29-county service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. For food-insecure children, that figure is now 40%, 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, in a press release. “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 asking residents to take part in several initiatives throughout September. One of the most direct ways to help is through financial donations. Every dollar donated during the month will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, and each dollar can provide up to six meals. Gifts can be made online at the Food Bank’s donation page.
Volunteers are also needed to sort and package food at the Food Bank’s East Point headquarters or at its Community Food Centers in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta. Available shifts can be found at acfb.org/volunteer.
The organization is also promoting a “30 Ways in 30 Days” challenge on social media, offering daily suggestions for actions people can take to fight hunger. Supporters are encouraged to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month to show their support. Additionally, the Food Bank is urging residents to advocate for policies that help eliminate hunger, with resources available through Feeding America Action.
Hunger Action Day is set for 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 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 with more than 700 community-based nonprofit partners to distribute food across 29 counties. In 2023, it distributed its one billionth meal. With hunger on the rise, the Food Bank emphasizes that community involvement is critical to meeting the growing need.
