As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is stepping in to help families who may soon lose access to SNAP benefits.
The nonprofit has moved $5 million from its reserves to help food pantries provide for metro Atlanta residents impacted by the suspension of government services, including SNAP recipients and furloughed federal employees who are missing paychecks.
“We’re already seeing extremely long lines at food pantries across the metro area,” said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “There are about 70 percent more people turning to food pantries today than three years ago because of inflation.”
Waide said 750,000 people across metro Atlanta receive SNAP benefits, which amount to $130 million monthly for groceries. The food bank’s $5 million activation will fund the purchase of approximately 6 million pounds of food to be distributed over the next four weeks.
Sustaining that level of support beyond a month will require community assistance, Waide said.
“This is a time when our community needs the best of us,” he said. “Certainly, the Food Bank will do our best, but there’s a role for all of us to play. You can donate to us or to other food organizations, or you can advocate: reaching out to elected officials and let them know how important it is to reopen the government. There’s no shortage of ways to get involved, and together we can make a difference.”
Waide said monetary donations are preferred because the food bank and its partner pantries have relationships with suppliers that allow them to purchase more food per dollar than the average shopper.
People who prefer to donate food directly can deliver it to the Atlanta Community Food Bank or to a neighborhood pantry.
Food distribution is expected to increase by 85 percent over the next month to meet the growing need.
To contribute, visit the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s website.
