Member News

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is as busy as ever — working to “take food insecurity off the table,” so people have the capacity to pursue their aspirations.

The food bank is serving “record levels” of people, Waide said during an interview for the podcast, “On Leadership with Atlanta Business Chronicle.” It’s now at nearly 200,000 households a month.

On July 11, the organization opened its second community food center. The 8,320-square-foot facility is located at 1605 Austell Rd. in Marietta, an area where existing resources lag current needs.

“This new facility is part of our long-term strategy focused on making access to food assistance more convenient, consistent, frequent, and equitable across our food pantry network,” Waide said in a statement.

Click above to hear what motivated Kyle Waide to pursue a career to take on poverty and food insecurity.

Current economic woes are weighing on low to moderate-income families who are dealing with inflation at the same time Covid-era benefits are winding down.

In response, the food bank has coordinated with its 700 partners, food suppliers and government officials to make the case: “We’ve got a tsunami coming and we’re going to need help,” Waide said.

Food insecurity has far-reaching implications, not just on families, but on the broader economy.

Not having consistent nutrition leads to chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes. Those conditions can result in higher medical bills, reduced worker productivity, days off from work and increased poverty.

According to research from the nonprofits Feeding America and Oxfam America, 76% of working families report making the choice between paying for food and utilities; 69% report choosing between food and medical care.

In March, the Atlanta Community Food Bank reached a milestone: It distributed its 1 billionth meal. Waide called the milestone “sobering and exciting.”

On the one hand, it shows how far the Atlanta Community Food Bank has come since it was founded in 1979. But it also reflects the persistent need for food assistance.