Atlanta Food Bank Prepares for Increased Demand as SNAP Cuts Loom: How You Can Help

EAST POINT, Ga. – The Atlanta Community Food Bank is a crucial support system for many families, but a government shutdown could raise the demand for its services. The longer it lasts, the greater the need may become.

Kyle Waide, the food bank’s CEO, emphasizes the organization is always busy. However, if the shutdown extends beyond mid-October, when federal employees start missing paychecks, they might face an increase in requests for assistance.

During the 2019 shutdown, the food bank adapted by hosting specific distributions for federal workers. A similar situation now could arise, especially given the potential impacts on programs like SNAP, known as food stamps. If the shutdown drags into November, it’s likely these crucial benefits may be interrupted.

About 15% of the food bank’s supplies come from federal sources. A prolonged shutdown could reduce this supply, making it difficult to meet community needs. Waide noted that the demand is already higher than in the past, following a significant increase in requests over the last few years as inflation has risen. He stated that the need for food assistance has dramatically surged, with a 70% increase in the past three and a half years.

Waide believes the potential fallout from a shutdown could create a crisis. “If assistance programs run out of funding, we could see demand that far exceeds what the food bank can provide,” he said.

This situation isn’t just a local issue; nationwide, food banks are on alert as the government struggles to reach a budget agreement. In a recent survey by Feeding America, 83% of food banks reported increases in need over the past year. These numbers show just how vital food assistance programs are to communities across the country.

Despite the challenges, Waide remains hopeful. “We come to work with a clear mission—to ensure everyone in our community has access to food,” he said. The community’s response will be essential in navigating this potential crisis.

For more information about how to support your local food bank or to learn more, visit the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s website: acfb.org.

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