As we enter the season of Thanksgiving—a time rooted in gratitude, generosity, and reflection—thousands of Georgians are facing a winter of profound uncertainty.
Freezing temperatures are arriving early. SNAP benefits are halted during the federal shutdown. And families who were already stretched thin are now being pushed into crisis at a time of year when stability matters most.
At Hope Atlanta, we are experiencing this surge long before the coldest months arrive. Calls to our office have jumped from 3,000 a month to more than 15,000—and this was before the shutdown. We expect this number has already grown.
And the need is far deeper than call volume.
A Surge We’ve Never Seen Before
Our Women’s Community Kitchen, which typically serves about 60 women and children each day, is preparing to serve up to 120 per day—our maximum capacity.
On top of that, we are estimating that more than 1,600 of our existing clients will need additional food support in the coming weeks as they attempt to bridge the gap created by SNAP disruptions.
And that number reflects only the people currently in our care.
The true number across our community may be significantly higher.
A Case Manager’s Story — Rooted in Lived Experience
One of our case managers, who previously experienced homelessness herself, reflected on what she’s seeing:
“I know what it feels like to worry about your next meal. Years ago, when I lost my job, unemployment and SNAP kept me afloat. Now I’m seeing that same fear in the eyes of the people I serve. Some don’t have cars and carry groceries on the bus. I drive them in our van to food pantries because otherwise, they simply wouldn’t eat. People are trying—truly trying—but when the safety net fails, even small setbacks become crises. Right now, those setbacks are everywhere.”
Her story underscores how quickly stability can unravel—and how urgently support is needed now.
Veterans Are Feeling the Strain
This season also calls us to honor those who served. Yet many veterans in our own communities are struggling to navigate hunger, housing instability, and rising costs—challenges intensified by lost benefits and winter temperatures.
Hope Atlanta has supported more than 1,100 veterans this year through housing navigation, employment supports, case management, and crisis assistance.
One veteran, Tre, shared:
“Many veterans live one crisis away from homelessness. When benefits get disrupted or freezing weather hits, that crisis comes fast. Hope Atlanta was there for me. Many more veterans need that safety net right now.”
The Cold Is Turning Need Into an Emergency
Across Georgia, warming centers, churches, and shelters are preparing for overflow crowds. Parents are telling us they can no longer afford to heat their homes. Seniors need safe transportation to warming sites. Individuals sleeping in cars or abandoned buildings are at severe risk.
The season that should remind us of abundance and gratitude is becoming, for many of our neighbors, a season of fear.
Why This Moment Matters for Businesses and Individuals
Atlanta’s business community has long played a critical role in stabilizing families and strengthening our region’s safety net. But during a crisis of this scale, philanthropy cannot be the work of companies alone.
The generosity of individual donors is more essential than ever—especially because unrestricted giving allows Hope Atlanta to support people in the ways that matter most.
With unrestricted funds, we can partner closely with clients to help them:
- find safer, more affordable housing
- address urgent food insecurity
- resolve transportation or car repair issues
- cover unexpected medical expenses
- stabilize after job loss
- prevent homelessness before it begins
And for those already experiencing homelessness—sleeping in cars, tents, or abandoned homes—your support ensures we can provide case management, outreach, emergency lodging, and clear pathways back to stability.
These are the kinds of interventions that cannot wait for restricted funding. They must happen in real time, driven by real need.
How You Can Make a Meaningful Impact — Right Now
Hope Atlanta invites companies, foundations, civic groups, and individuals to join us in strengthening the safety net during this critical season through:
1. Financial Support (Corporate and Individual)
Unrestricted donations allow us to respond immediately to the most urgent needs—whether it’s housing a family for a night, helping someone access food, repairing a car needed to keep employment, or covering a medical copay.
2. Volunteerism
Corporate teams, community groups, and individuals can meaningfully support meal service, warming center operations, client engagement, and outreach preparation. Volunteers not only meet immediate needs—they become ambassadors for the humanity behind this work.
Both forms of support help families move from crisis to stability and prevent homelessness before it begins.
A Season of Responsibility and Generosity
The season of Thanksgiving calls us to more than gratitude—it calls us to action.
It reminds us that we are bound to one another.
That abundance carries responsibility.
And that compassion, especially in hard times, is our community’s strongest asset.
This winter will be challenging for many. But with the leadership of Atlanta’s business community and the generosity of individuals, it does not have to be devastating.
Hope Atlanta remains committed to walking alongside families, seniors, veterans, and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness—helping them stabilize, rebuild, and move toward lasting self-sufficiency.
No one should face the cold alone. No one should be hungry in a season defined by generosity. And no neighbor should be without a safety net—especially now.
