Where to Find Free Food and Groceries in Atlanta Amid Proposed SNAP and EBT Cuts
Inside the Atlanta Community Food Bank's facility in East Point Friday morning, dozens of volunteers hustled inside to organize piles of water bottles, juice cartons, peanut butter, and cans of soup.
On the other side of the building, the beeps from the forklifts echoed throughout the corridors as food bank staff in blue and gray vests packed thousands of boxes of chips, rice and pasta.
Kyle Waide, CEO of the organization, said getting the millions of pounds of food out to the Georgians who need it most daily takes a 'community engagement effort' from volunteers, food bank staff, and nonprofit partners.
'We're serving hundreds of thousands of families throughout the year and connecting them with the food and resources they need, not only just to survive day to day, but to really have more bandwidth and breathing room to build stability in their lives,' Waide told Capital B Atlanta.
'I think that helps them have a better chance at pursuing opportunities and getting connected with pathways to really pursue their aspirations.'
But Waide said he's fearful of what the proposed cuts being decided in Congress to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could mean for Georgians and for the food bank, which serves 29 counties across the northern part of the state.
Last month, House Republicans successfully pushed for major budget cuts to SNAP in the coming years as they passed a bill that approved reducing the program's budget by $300 billion over the next 10 years.
Read More: Georgia Skips Feeding Kids This Summer as GOP Pushes SNAP Cuts
On top of the proposed cuts, Georgia chose to not partake in a summer program that would have helped feed 1.2 million children, according to the Food Research and Action Center. Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, provides qualifying families with $120 for each eligible child in their household for the summer months. The program was designed to help feed children who receive free and reduced-price lunches at school. Congress approved the program in 2022 for use when public schools are closed or have limited hours
Georgia is one of 11 states that will not take part in the program for summer 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.
Waide said that when it comes to food, the community is already in 'a state of crisis,' as demand for food has increased over the past few years due to inflation. He estimates the food bank is serving 60% more people than they were three years ago, and worries things will only get worse with cuts to SNAP.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Georgia could owe around $812 million for its share of SNAP in 2028 — more than double the $300 million in food that the food bank provides to the community annually, according to Waide.
As for Black Georgians, Waide said they will face a disproportionate impact from the cuts as they are overrepresented on the SNAP rolls.
In 2020, Black people made up 33% of the state's population and more than half of SNAP participants, according to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Additionally, Black residents are twice as likely to face food insecurity compared to white residents.
'We're going to see increasing disparities in life outcomes by race, because we're already starting from a place where disparities exist, and these cuts are going to help exacerbate those disparities,' said Waide.
Read More: Georgia Rejects Summer EBT, Leaving 1.2M Kids Without Food Aid
The cuts to SNAP are part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce federal spending to offset the cost of extending the president's 2017 tax cuts for high-income earners. The bill with the proposed cuts is currently being reviewed in the Senate. Were the legislation to become law, these changes wouldn't come into effect until fiscal year 2028.
Waide says because the state would have to shoulder more of the costs of SNAP due to the reduction from money on the federal side, state leaders could ultimately choose to reduce the amount of benefits SNAP recipients receive or restrict eligibility for the program, both resulting in less people having food.
'What we need from people is to support the food bank, get involved in our partner network and be an advocate for the community and the country you want,' said Waide.
For those in search of food assistance this summer, here are ways to find free meals in the metro Atlanta area:
Plug your address into a food pantry finder on the Atlanta Community Food Bank'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.
During the summer months when schools are closed, the state has various summer meal programs in operation. Free meals are available at all the food sites for children 18 and younger, with some also serving youth with special needs up to age 21. Some of the sites operate through school-based summer programs, but many others are based within communities at parks, libraries or nonprofit organizations. Depending on the site, breakfast, lunch or both are served.
To locate the nearest site, go to the USDA's website, text 'FOODGA' to 877-877, or call (866) 3-HUNGRY for help in English or Spanish.
MUST Ministries, a faith based organization that provides resources to communities in Georgia, holds an annual summer lunch program that provides free meals to children in need across metro Atlanta during the summer months. They have lunches available from June through July at the following locations:
Waleska UMC
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
7340 Reinhardt College Parkway, Waleska
Green Acres Baptist Church
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
591 Pat Mell Road SE, Smyrna
Cumberland Community Church
3059 S. Cobb Drive SE, Smyrna
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bethany UMC
760 Hurt Road SW, Smyrna
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
McEachern UMC
4075 Macland Road, Powder Springs
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
851 South Gordon Road SW, Austell
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Luke UMC
5115 Brookwood Drive, Mableton
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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.
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:
2615 DLH Parkway NW
1 to 5 p.m. (By appointment only for those who live or work in the 30314, 30318 and 30331 ZIP codes.)
777 Charlotte Place NW
1 to 3 p.m. (Wednesday is reserved for only Grove Park residents.)
2615 DLH Parkway NW
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 is required.
The post Where to Find Free Food and Groceries in Atlanta Amid Proposed SNAP and EBT Cuts appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
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