As Georgians grapple with rising housing, healthcare, and grocery costs, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is intensifying its efforts during Hunger Action Month this September, calling on residents to 'Play Your Part' in the fight against hunger. The initiative, part of the nationwide Feeding America network, comes at a critical time when the Food Bank is serving more neighbors than at any point in its history—70% more than in 2022—and recent changes to SNAP eligibility have left many households without crucial support.
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. That translates to one in seven neighbors facing hunger. The situation is further strained by policy shifts: more than 100,000 Georgians, nearly 40% of them children, have lost SNAP benefits under changes enacted last year, with additional reductions potentially looming this fall. Notably, over 68% of those facing hunger in the Food Bank's 29-county service area may not qualify for SNAP, up from 62% in 2023, and 40% of food-insecure children may be ineligible for food assistance programs, up from 31%.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank, which serves as the central logistics hub for the region, emphasizes that the majority of its clients are working individuals and families who fall into a coverage gap. '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 escalating need, the Food Bank is offering multiple avenues for public engagement. Financial contributions made during September will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000, with every dollar providing up to six meals. Donations can be made at [Donate | Atlanta Community Food Bank](https://www.acfb.org/donate). Volunteers are also essential; interested individuals 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 slots listed at [acfb.org/volunteer](https://www.acfb.org/volunteer).
In addition to giving and volunteering, the Food Bank is promoting a '30 Ways in 30 Days' challenge on social media to raise awareness and offer daily actionable tips. Supporters are also encouraged to wear orange throughout the month—the color of hunger relief—to show solidarity, and to advocate for policies that address hunger at the systemic level, as detailed in [Feeding America Action](https://feedingamerica.org/action). The month will culminate on Hunger Action Day, Tuesday, Sept. 29, when landmarks across Atlanta are expected to 'Light Up Orange' to draw attention to the cause.
Hunger Action Month, observed each September by the Feeding America network of more than 250 food banks, serves as a reminder that hunger is a solvable problem when communities come together. As the Atlanta Community Food Bank continues its mission to end hunger through partnerships with over 700 community-based organizations, the call to action is clear: every Georgian has a role to play in ensuring their neighbors have access to nutritious food. Whether through donations, volunteer time, or advocacy, individual efforts can collectively make a significant impact in a region where the need has never been greater.
