At the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, we take seriously the critical role that our organization plays in food emergency response and disaster relief.

Today, we are in the wake of a new emergency. Normally, we adopt a mindset of abundance over scarcity. However, with impending delays in SNAP benefits in a matter of days, our neighbors will very soon have insufficient food and will be looking to us for solutions.

We stand by the fact that food is essential, and what is essential cannot be negotiable. This is our moment to respond. It is time to ask, “What will happen to my neighbor if I do not help?”

Before this government shutdown began, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was already racing to meet the need for food. Compared to the same exact period year-to-date in 2023, we are mobilizing 45% more food this year across our 15-county region. This is a clear indicator that, before the potential delay of SNAP benefits beginning November 1, our neighbors facing food insecurity were already experiencing an unprecedented level of need for support. We estimate, if benefits are not issued for November, approximately 70,000 of our neighbors relying on SNAP across our region will move from food insecurity to food emergency.

As families across our nation prepare to gather at home for a holiday founded upon the theme of abundance, we are keenly aware that thousands of families are faced with choices that were difficult, now made impossible.

In response to SNAP delays, our emergency response includes:

• Increasing food purchasing by 400%, immediately, to maintain the level of inventory necessary to keep provision strong through year-end.
• Increasing all mobile pantry provision to maximize and optimize each distribution during November, and into December if necessary.
• Doubling the amount of purchased product to be released across our network of 230+ Member Partners.

The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was built for moments just like this one. But we cannot do this alone.

Please join us by becoming a monthly donor or sending your generous year-end gift now for immediate impact. For every $100 you donate, we can provide 250 meals.

Thank you! We are grateful to have you by our side and to stand with our neighbors today and every day.