Atlanta Community Food Bank receives $29 million grant – Reporter Newspapers & Atlanta Intown

The Atlanta Neighborhood Meals Financial institution is about to obtain a $29 million grant to assist deal with the damaging influence brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Brian Kemp introduced this week a complete of $415 million can be awarded to native nonprofits, authorities organizations and companies to assist offset the financial harm brought on by COVID-19. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The funding from the state equates to roughly 60 million meals. This help will be sure that the Meals Financial institution maintains enough stock to fulfill the wants of Georgians going through meals insecurity,” mentioned Kyle Waide, president & CEO of the Atlanta Neighborhood Meals Financial institution, in a information launch.

Roughly 715,000 households in Metro Atlanta reside in meals insecure circumstances, Waide mentioned. The state of affairs is even worse for the state’s youngest populations, with greater than 221,000 kids in Metro Atlanta are pressured to start or finish the day with out the meals they want, Waide mentioned.

ACFB and different meals banks are additionally going through financial hardships serving to individuals in want on account of excessive inflation charges as extra individuals face hovering meals, gasoline and housing prices.

ACFB mentioned the grant cash will go towards meals purchases that may complement merchandise it receives from different donations. Earlier than the pandemic, the Meals Financial institution was spending an estimated $2 million a 12 months for these supplemental merchandise.

Spurred by the issues of the pandemic, disrupted provide chain, and elevated demand from most people, the group was pushed to boost their meals buy spending to roughly $13 million every year, which represents a virtually 600% improve in comparison with pre-COVID ranges.  

The American Rescue Plan Act funding will permit the Meals Financial institution to buy nutritious meals that could be equipped to their community of 700 feeding packages and group companions in 29 counties. =

For extra details about the Atlanta Neighborhood Meals Financial institution or to study how one can assist, go to acfb.org.