In response to a sharp rise in food insecurity, the Atlanta Community Food Bank has announced the creation of a $5 million emergency fund. The fund aims to support the purchase of essential food over the next six months, focusing on fresh produce, dairy, protein-rich foods, and pantry staples. This initiative comes as food assistance demand has surged by 60% over the past two years, with 240,000 households now relying on the food bank each month.
Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Food Bank, emphasized the urgent need, citing the ongoing economic pressures of inflation. This emergency fund will bolster the organization’s capacity to serve its network of partner organizations, providing critical support to thousands of families in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.