Georgia NAACP calling on state to help during ‘unprecedented’ demand for food

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – As a U.S. District court awaits response from the executive branch on how they plan to at least partially fund SNAP, the Atlanta Community Food Bank told Atlanta News First they are dealing with “unprecedented” demand.

CEO Kyle Waide said they are currently serving around 250,000 families a month and expect that number to increase.

“Demand was already high before the shutdown,” Waide said. “We have not seen this kind of confluence of really dramatic demand that is part of the economic picture, plus a disruption created by the shutdown, plus a lot of pressure on our resources, all happening at the same time.”

Waide said the shutdown is putting pressure on their inventory. Their partner food pantries are busier than ever.

“I think it’s admirable that they’re stepping up,” Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs said. “I’m glad that non-profit organizations are stepping up, but this is why we pay our taxes.”

Griggs believes the onus is on Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly.

“This is one of those situations where state and local have to act because the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to Georgians,” he said.

Griggs wants Georgia to dip into its $14 billion surplus to temporarily fund SNAP.

The governor said he won’t do that because the state wouldn’t be reimbursed for that money.

Kemp, who blames Democrats, said the one and only viable solution is to reopen the government.

“We’re hopeful that they’ll find a way to get the government open soon. In the meantime, we’re going to do everything we can to put our arms around the neighbors who need us,” Waide told Atlanta News First.

Waide said the best way you can help the food bank is by replenishing their reserve funding with a financial contribution.

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