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

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) is one of the central resources fighting hunger in metro Atlanta. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting and need emergency food support, or want to understand how food assistance works here, this guide walks through what the Food Bank does, how to get food, and ways to get involved.

What the Atlanta Community Food Bank Actually Is

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is a food distribution hub, not a walk-up grocery store for the general public.

• It collects, stores, and distributes food and essentials.
• It supplies hundreds of partner agencies across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
• These partners include:
  • Food pantries
  • Community centers
  • Churches and faith-based organizations
  • After-school and senior programs

If you need food, you usually do not go directly to the Food Bank warehouse. Instead, you go to a partner pantry or program near where you live, many of which are within the City of Atlanta or nearby neighborhoods.

Where the Food Bank Is Located in Atlanta

The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s main facility is located in the East Point area, serving the greater Atlanta region.

Atlanta Community Food Bank – Main Facility
3400 North Desert Drive
East Point, GA 30344
Phone (main line): 404-892-9822

This location is where:

• Food is received, sorted, and stored
• Trucks load and deliver to partner agencies
• Many volunteer shifts take place

It is not typically a direct walk-in pantry for individual households. To get food, most people are referred to partner locations.

How to Get Food Help Through Atlanta Community Food Bank

Step 1: Find a Partner Food Pantry or Distribution Site

The Food Bank works through a network of local partners across Atlanta’s neighborhoods, including areas like:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Westside (West End, Vine City, English Avenue)
• Eastside (Edgewood, Kirkwood, East Atlanta)
• South and Southwest Atlanta (East Point, College Park, Oakland City)
• North Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee – often just outside city limits but still considered “Atlanta” by many residents)

You can typically find a nearby pantry by:

• Calling the Food Bank’s main number: 404-892-9822 and asking about food assistance.
• Calling Georgia-based 2‑1‑1 (United Way) from a local phone to get referrals to nearby food pantries and meal programs in your ZIP code.

When you contact these services, it helps to have:

• Your ZIP code
• Whether you have transportation or need locations near bus or rail
• Any special needs (for example, food for children, seniors, or homebound individuals)

Step 2: Understand What to Expect at a Pantry

Each pantry has its own rules, but many in Atlanta follow common patterns:

• Some are walk-in, first-come, first-served.
• Some require appointments or specific service hours (for example, only on certain weekdays or mornings).
• Many ask for basic information like:
  • Name
  • Address or ZIP code
  • How many people live in your household

Most emergency food assistance locations do not require proof of income for basic food support, but policies can vary. It’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm:

• Hours of operation
• What you need to bring (if anything)
• How often you can visit

Types of Food and Programs Connected to the Food Bank

Food available through partner agencies often includes:

• Shelf-stable items:
  Canned vegetables, fruits, beans, soups, peanut butter, rice, pasta, cereal, shelf-stable milk.
• Fresh items (when available):
  Produce like apples, potatoes, onions, greens, and occasionally meat or dairy.
• Special programs:
  Some partners offer prepared meals, backpack programs for children, or senior food boxes.

Many Atlanta Community Food Bank partners aim to provide balanced groceries to last several days, but quantities vary by location and supply.

If You’re in Crisis and Need Food Quickly in Atlanta

If you urgently need food in Atlanta:

1. Call 2‑1‑1 (United Way of Greater Atlanta)

   • Available in most metro Atlanta ZIP codes.
   • They can search for nearest open pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs, often with real-time information about hours.

2. Call Atlanta Community Food Bank at 404-892-9822

   • Ask for help locating a partner agency that’s currently open or near public transit.

3. Look for emergency meal programs:

   • Many churches, community centers, and shelters in neighborhoods like Downtown, West End, and Old Fourth Ward host regular meal services, often supplied in part by the Food Bank or other donors.
   • 2‑1‑1 can usually identify the closest same-day option.

How Atlanta Community Food Bank Fits into the Larger Safety Net

The Food Bank is one part of a broader food assistance network in Atlanta. If you’re struggling with food consistently, it may help to look at multiple supports together.

Food Banks vs. Food Pantries vs. Meal Programs

The Atlanta Community Food Bank supports many of these resources, especially pantries and mobile distributions, across the metro area.

Using Public Benefits Along with Food Bank Resources

For many Atlanta residents, especially families and seniors, food from a pantry is only one piece of staying food secure. You may also want to explore:

• SNAP (food stamps) – Helps you buy groceries at stores.
• WIC – For pregnant/postpartum people and young children.
• School Meal Programs – Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for eligible students.

You can get information on these through:

• Georgia Department of Human Services and Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS).
• Local DFCS offices in Fulton County and surrounding counties.
• 2‑1‑1 can also point you to assistance with applications.

Many partner agencies connected to the Atlanta Community Food Bank can refer you to organizations that help with benefit applications, especially in neighborhoods with higher food insecurity.

Volunteering with the Atlanta Community Food Bank

If you’re interested in helping fight hunger in Atlanta, the Food Bank provides structured volunteer opportunities.

Typical Volunteer Activities

Common tasks at the main facility in East Point or other designated sites include:

• Sorting and packing food
  Checking dates, grouping items, and assembling boxes.
• Working in the product rescue area
  Handling donated food to ensure it’s safe and ready to distribute.
• Supporting special events or mobile distributions
  Helping distribute food at large drive-through or walk-up events.

Volunteer shifts are usually scheduled and may accommodate:

• Individuals
• Families (sometimes with age limits for children)
• Corporate or community groups

To get current details:

• Call the main line: 404-892-9822 and ask about volunteer opportunities and scheduling requirements (such as age limits and group sizes).

Donating Food or Funds in Atlanta

Many Atlanta residents and businesses look to the Food Bank as a central place to support hunger relief.

Donating Food

You might see food drives at:

• Schools and universities
• Workplaces and office towers (especially in Midtown and Downtown)
• Faith communities and civic groups

If you’re organizing a drive or have a large quantity of food to donate, you can contact ACFB at 404-892-9822 to ask:

• What items are most needed
• Where and how to drop off
• Any restrictions (such as perishable items or opened packages)

Commonly needed foods include:

• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)
• Peanut butter and shelf-stable milk
• Rice, pasta, and cereal

Donating Money

Monetary donations help the Food Bank:

• Purchase food in bulk
• Cover operations like storage, transportation, and logistics
• Support nutrition and outreach programs

You can contact ACFB directly for information about:

• One-time gifts
• Ongoing giving
• Employer-matching programs (common in larger Atlanta companies)

Atlanta Neighborhoods Commonly Served

Because the Atlanta Community Food Bank serves a wide region, it directly supports many areas within and immediately around the city, including but not limited to:

• City of Atlanta neighborhoods like:
  • West End, Adair Park, Mechanicsville
  • Old Fourth Ward, Reynoldstown, Edgewood
  • Vine City, English Avenue
  • Pittsburgh, Capitol View, Lakewood
• Nearby cities and communities many Atlantans identify with:
  • East Point, College Park, Forest Park
  • Decatur, Clarkston, Doraville, Chamblee

If you’re unsure whether your area is covered, 2‑1‑1 or the ACFB main line can help clarify which pantries and programs serve your address.

Tips for Using Food Pantries in Atlanta Effectively

To make the most of resources connected to the Atlanta Community Food Bank:

• Call before you go
  🕒 Verify hours, eligibility, and what to bring. Some sites change schedules due to weather, holidays, or deliveries.

• Ask about other services
  Many partner organizations also offer clothing closets, financial counseling, job support, or benefits assistance.

• Bring reusable bags or a cart
  Some Atlanta pantries provide a generous amount of food; having a way to carry it helps, especially if you’re using MARTA.

• Note how often you can return
  Some locations allow weekly visits, others monthly. Tracking this helps you plan meals and budget.

Key Contacts for Atlanta Residents

Here are core contacts that connect directly or indirectly to the Atlanta Community Food Bank network:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank (Main Line)
  3400 North Desert Drive
  East Point, GA 30344
  Phone: 404-892-9822
  Use this for:

  • Finding nearby partner food pantries
  • Volunteer information
  • Donation and food drive questions

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2‑1‑1
  Dial 2‑1‑1 from most local phones or use their main information line (which 2‑1‑1 can provide).
  Use this for:

  • Emergency food referrals
  • Shelter, utility, and other community resources

These two points of contact are often the fastest way to connect with an Atlanta Community Food Bank partner or another food resource close to where you live or are staying.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is the backbone of much of the food assistance available in and around Atlanta. Whether you need immediate help with groceries, are looking for stable long-term support, or want to give back, understanding how this hub and its partners work will help you navigate food resources more confidently in Atlanta.