OUR HISTORY
The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was founded in 1992 to connect neighbors with nourishing food. Our first home was on Prince Avenue in the space that is formerly The Grit. In that first year, the Food Bank distributed approximately 350,000 pounds of food to 36 partner agencies.
In 1997, the organization relocated to Newton Bridge Road, which was expanded to continue meeting the needs of our community. In 2016, the Food Bank added a second branch in Rabun County, GA. This expansion included a state-of-the-art facility complete with a teaching kitchen to offer cooking classes for community members, as well as a commercial kitchen to support and advance small businesses and entrepreneurs.
With more than 30 years of experience serving the community, the Food Bank now distributes more than 12 million pounds of food to our 15-county service area in collaboration with more than 225 Member organizations every year.
After years of growth and space constraints, the Food Bank embarked in 2023 to construct a new distribution center in Athens. Opened in June 2024, the new 63,000 square foot facility on 37 acres will facilitate our ability to one say see EVERY NEIGHBOR. WITH ENOUGH FOOD. EVERYDAY. Please contact us to tour the new facility and learn about how we accomplish our mission!
HOW WE WORK
The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is a 501(c)3 organization that gathers donated items and purchased food from local, regional, state, and national product companies and programs. Food is processed and delivered from our two Branches in Athens and Clayton, GA. to human-service agencies, education and faith-based organizations. These local Members then distribute that food directly to our neighbors, including children, older adults, individuals and families. Members of the Food Bank mobilize food through a variety of food access programs, such as onsite pantries and meal programs, mobile pantries, and delivered meal kits. We are grateful for the generosity of our supporters who ensure food flows into the community every day.
