Atlanta Community Food Bank: How It Works and How to Get Help or Get Involved

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) is one of the main hubs fighting hunger in the metro area. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting long-term, or are just trying to understand how food support and volunteering work here, this guide walks you through what the Food Bank does, how to access food, and how to volunteer or donate locally.

What the Atlanta Community Food Bank Does

The Atlanta Community Food Bank doesn’t usually hand out food directly to individuals every day like a neighborhood pantry. Instead, it works as a central warehouse and support network for:

• Food pantries
• Community centers
• Churches and nonprofits
• Shelters and after-school programs

From its primary facility at:

Atlanta Community Food Bank
3400 North Desert Drive
Atlanta, GA 30344
Phone: (404) 892-9822

…the organization collects, sorts, and distributes food to partner agencies across Atlanta and the broader metro region. If you’re in the city and need food, you’ll most likely be served by one of these partner locations connected to the Food Bank.

If You Need Food Assistance in Atlanta

Where to Start

If you’re in Atlanta and you or your family need groceries or meals, the most common options connected to the Atlanta Community Food Bank are:

• Food pantries – Free groceries you can cook at home
• Community meal programs – Hot meals served on-site
• Mobile food distributions – Large-scale drive-through or walk-up events
• Specialty programs – Such as school-based food programs or senior food distributions

The Food Bank helps coordinate and stock these sites, but you usually do not go to the main warehouse for food. Instead, you visit a partner food pantry or meal site.

Typical Documents and Eligibility

Requirements vary by location, but many Atlanta food pantries supported by the Food Bank:

• Ask for basic information like name, address, and family size
• May request photo ID (such as a Georgia driver’s license, state ID, or other identification)
• Often do not require proof of income for emergency food, though some programs with recurring boxes may have income guidelines

If you don’t have an ID, some sites may still help or offer a one-time emergency box. It’s common for Atlanta-area pantries to post their rules at the door or on a sign-in sheet.

Finding a Food Pantry or Meal Site Near You

The Food Bank maintains a large network of partners across metro Atlanta. To find a location close to you:

1. Call for Help Locating Food

Several numbers can help connect you to Food Bank–partner sites:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank main line:
  (404) 892-9822 – Staff can give general guidance and help you find partner agencies in your area.

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 211:
  Dial 2-1-1 (or (404) 614-1000 from some phones) to reach a local resource specialist. You can ask specifically for food pantries or meal programs near your ZIP code connected to the Atlanta Community Food Bank network.

These services often know which pantries are open on specific days and times, which is important because hours and rules can vary.

2. Look for Common Partner Types in Atlanta

Across the city, many partner agencies are:

• Churches (Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational, etc.)
• Community centers (for example, some City of Atlanta recreation centers)
• Neighborhood nonprofits in places like West End, East Atlanta, South Atlanta, and the Westside
• Shelters and transitional housing programs

If you already visit a local church or community organization, ask if they work with the Atlanta Community Food Bank or know of a partner pantry nearby.

What to Expect When You Visit a Food Pantry

Experiences vary, but in Atlanta you’ll typically see one of these models:

Drive-Through Style

Common in suburban and some city locations:

• You stay in your car
• Volunteers load boxes or bags of food into your trunk
• Minimal paperwork, often just a quick registration or confirmation of household size

Walk-Up / Indoor Choice Pantry

More common in denser parts of Atlanta:

• You sign in at a table or reception area
• You may receive a pre-packed box or be able to “shop” choice-style, selecting items within set limits
• Expect basic shelf-stable foods (rice, pasta, canned goods), plus some fresh produce and sometimes frozen meats or dairy depending on the day

Frequency of Visits

Many Atlanta pantries:

• Allow visits once or twice a month
• May offer emergency food if it’s your first time or you’re in immediate crisis

If you rely on a pantry long-term, it’s helpful to write down:

• Name of the pantry
• Days and hours they’re open
• Phone number in case schedules change

Food Assistance for Specific Groups in Atlanta

Families with Children

If you have children in Atlanta Public Schools or other local districts, you may see Food Bank–supported programs like:

• Backpack programs – Bags of food sent home over weekends or breaks
• School-based food pantries – Shelves or small rooms on campus where families can get groceries
• Summer meal programs – Free meals at schools, libraries, or community sites during summer break

Ask your school’s counselor, social worker, or front office if they’re linked with the Atlanta Community Food Bank or another food support program.

Seniors

Some senior-focused programs in Atlanta partner with the Food Bank, often through:

• Senior centers
• Affordable senior housing communities
• Home-delivered grocery programs in certain areas

If you’re a senior or helping one, contacting local senior centers or Fulton County, DeKalb County, or Clayton County senior services offices can help you identify Food Bank–connected resources.

How to Volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank

If you live in Atlanta and want to help, volunteering with the Food Bank is one of the most direct ways to support neighbors facing food insecurity.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities

Common roles at or through the Atlanta Community Food Bank include:

• Sorting and packing food at the main warehouse
• Packing boxes for seniors or families
• Assisting with mobile distributions (helping load cars, direct traffic, or hand out food)
• Administrative or office support depending on your skills and their needs

Most hands-on volunteers work at the main facility:

Atlanta Community Food Bank
3400 North Desert Drive
Atlanta, GA 30344

Parking is typically available on-site, and many Atlanta residents come in groups from workplaces, schools, or faith communities.

Who Can Volunteer?

Policies can change, but generally:

• Adults can sign up individually or with groups
• Teens may be able to volunteer, sometimes with a parent/guardian or signed waiver
• Groups (corporate teams, youth groups, civic organizations) are common, especially during weekdays and weekends

It’s best to sign up in advance rather than just showing up. You can get details on scheduling and age requirements by calling the main line at (404) 892-9822 and asking for volunteer services information.

What to Expect During a Shift

Most warehouse volunteer shifts in Atlanta involve:

• A brief orientation and safety discussion
• Working in a large, open space with tables or conveyor lines
• Standing for part or all of the shift, lifting light to moderately heavy items
• Sorting, labeling, or packing food into boxes or bags

Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing you can move in. Some shifts may be in cooler or warehouse environments, so a light jacket or layer can help.

Donating Food or Money in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to support the Food Bank financially or with food, you have several options.

Donating Food

The Atlanta Community Food Bank does accept donated food, but in the Atlanta area it’s often most efficient to:

• Support organized food drives (at workplaces, schools, or faith communities)
• Donate directly to a local partner pantry in your neighborhood for quick distribution

Popular donation items typically include:

• Canned vegetables, beans, soups, and fruit
• Peanut butter and shelf-stable proteins
• Rice, pasta, and cereal
• Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
• Canned tuna or chicken

Avoid items that are:

• Opened or partially used
• Homemade, unless part of an organized and approved program
• Extremely close to or past expiration (some locations will still accept certain “best by” dates, but guidelines vary)

If you have a large donation (for example, from a business or big event), call the Food Bank at (404) 892-9822 to ask about the best way to deliver or arrange pickup.

Donating Money

While this guide doesn’t promote any specific method, many Atlanta residents choose to give money because:

• The Food Bank can often stretch dollars further by buying in bulk
• It lets them purchase exactly what’s needed at a given time
• It helps cover the logistics of receiving, storing, and delivering food across the region

If you’re considering a financial donation, call the Food Bank and ask for donor services or development for current options.

How the Atlanta Community Food Bank Fits Into the City’s Support Network

In Atlanta, the Food Bank is one key piece of a broader safety net that includes:

• Local churches and faith organizations
• City and county social services (such as SNAP application assistance and emergency help)
• Nonprofits focused on housing, employment, and health

If you’re struggling with food, it’s common in Atlanta to be connected to multiple supports at once. For example:

• You might visit a Food Bank–partner pantry and, while there, get help applying for SNAP (food stamps).
• A shelter or nonprofit in the city might receive food from the Food Bank while also offering job training or rental assistance referrals.

When you reach out for food help, don’t hesitate to ask:

• “Are there other resources I should know about?”
• “Can someone help me with benefits applications or other support?”

Many Atlanta partners working with the Food Bank are used to connecting people with additional services beyond food.

Quick Reference: Key Atlanta Community Food Bank Details

If you live in or around Atlanta and need food, or if you’re looking for a meaningful way to help, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is a central, long-standing resource. A quick phone call—to the Food Bank itself or to 211—can connect you to the nearest pantry, volunteer option, or donation opportunity that fits your situation.