The Atlanta Community Food Bank will host its 42nd annual Hunger Walk Run on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from Noon to 4 pm at The Home Depot Backyard, with a virtual participation option also available. This community event benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank and five other local hunger relief organizations, coming at a critical time as the food bank faces the highest demand for food assistance since the pandemic.
Every registration creates substantial impact, with each walker helping provide 90 meals and each runner contributing 120 meals for community members experiencing food insecurity. Since its inception in 1984, the Hunger Walk Run has raised more than $16 million for hunger relief, translating to over 48 million meals distributed to those in need. Registration and donation opportunities are currently open through the Atlanta Community Food Bank website.
Kyle Waide, President & CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, emphasized the event's significance, stating that it rallies thousands from the community to take steps toward fighting hunger. The event welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities, with participants able to join as individuals, families, groups, or teams. Festivities include music, food vendors, warm-ups, and a dedicated Kids Zone with bounce houses, slides, interactive characters, and age-appropriate learning opportunities.
The virtual Hunger Walk Run option allows participants to engage from any location on March 15 or at their convenience, with walking in neighborhoods, using treadmills, or biking all counting toward the cause. Participants are encouraged to maintain event momentum by sharing photos and using the hashtag #HWR2026 on social media platforms.
Online registration remains available through 12 pm on Friday, March 13, with rates set at $30 for walkers, $40 for runners, $25 for virtual participants picking up shirts, and $32 for virtual participants requesting mailed shirts. Walk-up registration will be available for an additional $5 per entry type. As the Southeast's largest food bank, the Atlanta Community Food Bank works with more than 700 nonprofit partners across 29 counties to address food insecurity, having distributed its one billionth meal in 2023.
The continued growth of this event reflects both persistent community need and strong local commitment to hunger relief. With food insecurity affecting thousands of families, children, and seniors across metro Atlanta and north Georgia, the Hunger Walk Run represents a tangible opportunity for community members to contribute directly to solutions. The event's hybrid format expands accessibility, allowing those who cannot attend in person to still support the cause while raising awareness about hunger issues that extend beyond immediate geographic boundaries.
