Federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits are expected to pause this weekend with the ongoing government shutdown. The Atlanta Community Food Bank is now activating its crisis response plan.
The food bank will draw $5 million from its reserves to purchase over six million pounds of emergency food to distribute over the next four weeks.
How north Georgia communities are responding, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“These are incredibly unstable and uncertain times that leave our most vulnerable neighbors at risk,” ACFB president and CEO Kyle Waide said . “It is more critical than ever that we take immediate action to ensure that the children, families, and seniors in our communities continue to have access to nutritious food and vital resources.”
Channel 2 Action News has been reporting for days on the ongoing government shutdown’s impact on SNAP benefits.
The federal government spends about $3.2 billion annually on SNAP benefits for approximately 1.5 million people across Georgia. That will be at risk if the shutdown lasts past Saturday.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank serves as a hub, purchasing food and distributing it to more than 700 food pantries across 29 north Georgia counties.
You can find a local food bank near you by searching an interactive map here.
RELATED STORIES:
- Food pantries prepping for more families in need when SNAP benefits pause
- Georgia SNAP benefits ‘not available’ in November due to government shutdown
- Georgia SNAP recipients say they won’t receive funds if government doesn’t open by November
- DoorDash rolls out emergency food response program as SNAP benefits cutoff looms
©2025 Cox Media Group
