Starting Nov. 1, thousands of Georgia families who rely on food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will face a sudden halt to their monthly benefit allotments, as the federal program is paused amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. With no clear date for federal aid to resume, local food banks, churches, and mutual-aid networks are stepping in to make sure no one goes hungry.
As federal officials continue to sort out a funding bill, Atlanta families and residents in need can find help through a handful of local groups working to feed the city.
The following is a list of food hubs in the Atlanta area and information for residents looking to help neighbors in need.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank is drawing $5 million from its reserves to purchase more than 6 million pounds of emergency food for distribution over the next four weeks.
Residents can schedule an appointment to pick up groceries at one of ACFB’s community food centers located in Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Atlanta, or residents can go to a partnered food pantry. To locate a pantry, residents can use the food pantry finder on ACFB’s website. Some pantries may require proof of local residency and offer curbside delivery, according to the website. You can also text “FINDFOOD” or “COMIDA” to (888) 976-2232 to access the information via text message.
For residents looking to support ACFB, information on donating or volunteering with the organization can be found here.
Open Hand Atlanta is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes through the delivery of medically tailored meals and nutrition education. The organization serves residents across Georgia, focusing on those with chronic or severe health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS. Information on eligibility or to request services can be found on the organization’s website.
Information on how to support Open Hand Atlanta can be found here.
The Grocery Spot is a nonprofit grocery store and community hub located in Grove Park. The store offers a free shopping experience to residents who live in the neighborhood, as well as for college students, seniors, veterans and more. Residents must sign up by appointment, and groceries are available on the following days and times:
Tuesday:
2615 Donald Lee Holloway Parkway NW, 1 to 5 p.m. (By appointment only for those who live or work in the 30314, 30318, and 30331 ZIP codes.)
Friday:
1 to 5 p.m. (By appointment only for workers in education, college students, city of Atlanta employees, residents 65 or older, and veterans.) Identification required. Donations and volunteer opportunities with The Grocery Spot can be found here.
MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that provides resources to communities in Georgia. It has food pantry and mobile food services available for residents. The mobile pantry schedule can be found here, and donation information can be found here.
MUST Marietta Campus
1260 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta
Phone: (770) 427-9862
Services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MUST Ministries Smyrna
460 Pat Mell Road, Smyrna
Phone: (770) 436-9514
Services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MUST Ministries Canton
111 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
Phone: (770) 479-5397
Services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2545 Forrest Hills Drive SW, Atlanta
Phone: (404) 755-3353
Hosea Helps offers free emergency groceries for families in need. Families and individuals can visit the organization’s care center during the week for food packages that fit the cooking capability of each household. Information on how to support Hosea Helps can be found here.
Hosea Helps Care Center
Services are available Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur
DEAM is a coalition of 18 churches working together in the Decatur area, providing food, medication, and utility assistance by appointment to residents in need. DEAM only serves residents from the following ZIP codes: 30030, 30002, 30079, 30032, 30033, 30307, and 30317.
DEAM operators are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment and find out more information, call (404) 373-9283 during those times.
3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur
Phone: (404) 381-6731
New Life Community Alliance is an organization working to erase the legacy of poverty in South DeKalb neighborhoods, and one way they’re doing that is through food services. The organization offers weekly hot meals served through their on-site kitchen, and they also have food available through their food pantry.
The hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Feeding GA Families is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating hunger and fostering self-reliance among the vulnerable communities across Georgia. The organization is holding multiple food pantry events throughout November. Information on how to support the organization can be found here.
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest
On Nov. 1, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and The King’s Table are expanding food distribution to support 2,000 local families who may be experiencing food insecurity. The event starts at 9 a.m and food is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Atlanta Public Schools Student and Family Support Hub
601 Dr. Thomas Cole Jr. Way SW, Atlanta
Phone: (404) 802-1900
The APS Student and Family Support Hub provides free food for families within the APS system. All APS families can participate in a monthly food drive-up at the hub, with no sign up required. The next food drive-up takes place on Nov. 24 at 10:30 a.m.
The hub also has a free walk-in grocery store for APS families called the Goodr Grocery Store. Families must sign up for an appointment to access the store.
Read More About SNAP Programs in Atlanta
