Feeding the Homeless in Atlanta: What You’re Allowed to Do and How to Do It Safely

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want to feed people experiencing homelessness, you absolutely can help—but there are some local rules, best practices, and safer options to understand first.

This guide walks you through what’s allowed in Atlanta, where there are restrictions, and practical ways to get involved without running into problems.

Is It Legal to Feed the Homeless in Atlanta?

You are allowed to feed people who are homeless in Atlanta.
There is no blanket law that makes it illegal to give someone food.

However, issues can arise around:

• Where you’re serving food (public vs. private property)
• How the food is prepared and handled (health and safety rules)
• Whether you have permission (from the property owner or event organizer)
• Crowd or traffic impacts (large gatherings in busy public spaces)

Atlanta, like many cities, has rules related to:

• Use of public parks and sidewalks
• Food service to the public
• Permits for large events or activities in specific areas

You don’t need a permit to quietly hand a sandwich to someone on the sidewalk. But once you’re serving larger groups or setting up regular food distributions in a public space, additional rules may apply.

Public vs. Private Spaces: What You Should Know

Feeding People in Public Areas

In Atlanta, public spaces include:

• City sidewalks
• Public parks (like Woodruff Park or Hurt Park)
• Transit areas (near MARTA stations, bus stops)

For one-on-one or small-scale sharing of food:

• You can generally give food directly to someone you encounter.
• Problems usually arise only if crowds build up, sidewalks are blocked, or you are told to move by police or park staff because of safety or space concerns.

For organized food distributions:

• If you’re planning to serve large groups or do a recurring outreach (for example, weekly meals in a specific park), the city may treat this more like an event.
• You may need to check:
  • Park event rules through the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
    • 233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
    • General information line: 404-546-6813
  • Whether you are blocking sidewalks, streets, or entrances, which could bring in Atlanta Police Department (APD) or city code enforcement.

If an officer or park official asks you to move or adjust what you’re doing, it’s usually about location, crowding, or safety, not about making charity illegal.

Feeding People on Private Property

If the space is privately owned, like:

• Church parking lots
• Business parking lots
• Apartment complexes
• Private plazas

You must have permission from the property owner or manager to serve food there. Without it, you can be asked to leave or cited for trespassing, even if your actions are charitable.

Food Safety and Health Rules in Atlanta

Georgia and Fulton County have health codes that apply when you’re serving food to the public, particularly:

• Prepared hot meals
• Foods that require refrigeration
• Large-scale or recurring food service events

Key points:

• Sharing a few sealed snacks, bottled water, or pre-packaged items with individuals is usually not treated like operating a food establishment.
• If you’re running a regular meal program or serving cooked foods to groups, you may fall under food service permitting rules.

In the City of Atlanta, health regulations in and around the downtown area are typically handled by:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Division
  10 Park Place South SE, Suite 402, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: 404-613-1303

If you’re unsure whether your planned activity needs a permit or food safety inspection, you can call and describe your plan. They can explain if your effort is small enough to stay informal or if it should operate through a permitted kitchen or program.

Safer and Easier Ways to Help Feed the Homeless in Atlanta

While you can hand out food on your own, many Atlanta residents and visitors find it simpler and more effective to work through established organizations that already follow health codes and local rules.

Partner With Established Meal Programs

Many organizations in Atlanta:

• Already prepare and serve meals daily or weekly
• Have licensed kitchens and trained staff or volunteers
• Understand local regulations, park expectations, and safety needs

Common types of groups to look for include:

• Shelters and day centers
• Faith-based meal ministries
• Nonprofits focused on homelessness and hunger

These programs usually welcome:

• Volunteers to serve meals, clean up, or help with intake
• Donations of food, water, or funds
• Groups who want to sponsor a meal on a particular day

You can search locally for:

• Homeless service centers in Downtown, Midtown, and the Westside
• Faith communities in neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, and West End that run meal programs

Always:

• Call ahead to ask what they need
• Follow their guidelines on food donations (some accept only specific types due to safety rules)

Direct Outreach: Handing Out Food Yourself

If you prefer to personally hand out food to people in need around Atlanta, you can usually do this, but it helps to keep it:

• Small-scale
• Respectful
• Safe for everyone involved

Practical Tips for Direct Food Sharing

1. Choose safe, simple items

To avoid food safety issues, favor:

• Bottled water or sports drinks
• Sealed snacks (granola bars, crackers, nuts, trail mix)
• Shelf-stable items that don’t spoil quickly

Avoid:

• Foods that sit long in the heat (mayonnaise-based salads, dairy-heavy dishes)
• Items that must be kept at very specific temperatures unless you have proper storage

2. Be mindful of location

In Atlanta, consider:

• Distributing in less congested areas near shelters or service centers rather than the middle of a narrow sidewalk
• Avoiding blocking business entrances, MARTA station doors, or high-traffic walkways
• Being prepared to move if requested by law enforcement, security, or park staff

3. Focus on respect and consent

• Ask, “Would you like some food or water?” rather than assuming
• Don’t photograph or record people while giving food unless they clearly agree
• If someone declines, simply move on

4. Limit crowding

If a large group forms:

• Step aside to a more open area if possible
• Calmly explain if you are running out of items
• Don’t argue with bystanders, security, or officers

When You May Need a Permit or Extra Permission

For larger, more organized efforts, your activity may be treated like an event or public food service.

You may need to consider permits if:

• You are serving large groups regularly in a park or public square
• You are setting up tables, tents, or equipment in a public space
• You are planning a publicized food distribution with many volunteers and guests

In those cases, steps might include:

• Contacting the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
  • To ask about park use permits, rules on amplified sound, tables, and crowd size
• Calling the Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Division
  • To ask if your meal event or recurring service requires a temporary food service permit or must operate from a permitted kitchen

If your group is connected to a church, nonprofit, or civic organization, you may also want to talk with:

• Your organization’s leadership or legal advisor
• Any insurance provider your organization uses, to understand liability considerations

Helpful Atlanta Contacts and Offices

Here is a simple reference for common local contacts related to feeding the homeless:

When you call, you can say something like:
“I’m interested in feeding people experiencing homelessness in [park/area]. It’s a small volunteer effort of about [number] people. Do I need any kind of permit, or are there rules I should know about for that location?”

Other Ways to Support People Experiencing Homelessness in Atlanta

Feeding people is an important way to help, but many Atlantans also choose to support broader efforts that address basic needs and long-term stability.

Options can include:

• Donating supplies: socks, hygiene items, cold-weather gear, reusable water bottles
• Supporting shelters and day centers that offer meals, showers, and case management
• Volunteering skills: resume help, job readiness support, tutoring, transportation assistance through established programs
• Supporting organizations that work on housing, mental health access, and outreach for people sleeping outdoors in neighborhoods across the city

If you’re not sure where to start, you can call ATL 311 (404-546-0311) and ask for information on homeless services and local resources; they can provide up-to-date guidance on city-recognized service providers.

In Atlanta, you can feed the homeless—both informally and through organized efforts. The key is to:

• Respect public and private space rules
• Follow basic food safety practices
• Work with or learn from local organizations that already serve this community every day

With a bit of planning and awareness of local expectations, your desire to help can translate into safe, welcomed, and effective support for people experiencing homelessness in Atlanta.