As the cost of housing, health care, and groceries continues to climb, and changes to SNAP eligibility place additional strain on households, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is rallying Georgians to take action this September during Hunger Action Month. The Food Bank, which serves as the central logistics hub for a 29-county region, is currently providing food to more neighbors than at any point in its history—70% more than in 2022. According to Feeding America's most recent 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, meaning 1 in 7 neighbors struggles to put food on the table.
The situation is worsened by policy changes: more than 100,000 Georgians—nearly 40% of them children—have lost SNAP benefits under modifications enacted last year, with further reductions potentially taking effect this fall. Consequently, over 68% of people facing hunger in the Food Bank's service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023. Similarly, 40% of food-insecure children may not qualify for food assistance programs, 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 urging everyone to “Play Your Part” through several actions. First, monetary donations made during 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. Second, volunteers are 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 are listed at acfb.org/volunteer. Third, the “30 Ways in 30 Days” challenge on social media offers daily suggestions for actions to fight hunger, encouraging participants to share their efforts using #HungerActionMonth and tagging @acfb.
Additionally, the Food Bank encourages everyone to wear orange—the color of hunger relief—throughout the month to show support, and to advocate for policies that help eliminate hunger by exploring issues and contacting representatives through platforms like Feeding America Action. The month culminates on Tuesday, September 29, with Hunger Action Day, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to “Light Up Orange.”
The urgency is clear: with 1 in 7 neighbors facing food insecurity, the Food Bank's role as a safety net has never been more critical. By giving, volunteering, and speaking up, Georgians can help ensure that everyone in the community has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
