The Atlanta Community Food Bank has announced a $32,000 grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to support its programs aimed at reaching children and families facing hunger in Atlanta and north Georgia. The grant will be used to purchase food for school pantry partners that are distributing meals in June and July, a critical time when many children lose access to school meal programs.
Food insecurity remains a pervasive issue across the United States, affecting individuals regardless of background, demographics, or location. In the Food Bank's 29-county service area, one in eight people, including one in six children, face hunger. The grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation will help address this need by ensuring that children have access to nutritious food during the summer months when school is not in session.
"Every child should have access to the nutritious food they need to grow, learn and thrive. But during the summer, when school is not in session, many children lack access to food," said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "During these challenging months, support from the Morgan Stanley Foundation helps ensure kids in Atlanta and north Georgia can get nourishing food for their well-being today and brighter futures tomorrow."
The Atlanta Community Food Bank is one of 33 Feeding America partner food banks receiving funding from the Morgan Stanley Foundation this year. The foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting children's health in communities nationwide. Since 2009, the Morgan Stanley Foundation has partnered with Feeding America to provide more than $50 million for hunger-relief programs that deliver food assistance and nutritious meals to children and families across the country.
"We are proud to support the Feeding America network of food banks and their critical work to reach communities facing hunger across the country," said Joan Steinberg, President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation.
This grant is particularly significant as it targets the summer months, a period when food insecurity often spikes for children who rely on school meals. According to Feeding America, summer hunger is a pressing issue, and programs like those supported by this grant are essential to bridging the gap. The impact extends beyond immediate nutrition; consistent access to healthy food supports children's growth, learning, and long-term health outcomes.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works with more than 700 community-based, nonprofit partners across 29 counties to help thousands of families, children, and seniors get healthy food each year. In 2023, the Food Bank distributed its one billionth meal. For more information about the organization and its work, visit ACFB.org.
Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, supports a network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 partner agencies. To learn more about their nationwide efforts, visit FeedingAmerica.org.
