Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.
Hi friend. Everyone deserves a good meal, and nobody should have to go hungry. If money for food is tight, there is help in Georgia, from monthly grocery money to food banks and pantries.
Dial 211 to find food near you today. To apply for SNAP, use Georgia Gateway.
A few things to know
- You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
- Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
- Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
Dial 211 and ask for a food pantry or hot meal near you. In metro Atlanta and north Georgia, the Atlanta Community Food Bank has a map of partner pantries and food sites.
In other parts of the state, 211 can point you to your local food bank.
Sources: https://www.acfb.org/
Your first steps, in order
- Dial 211, or use the Atlanta Community Food Bank's map, to find food near you today.
- Call ahead to check hours and what to bring.
- Apply for SNAP on Georgia Gateway.
- If you're pregnant or have a child under 5, call WIC.
- Ask your child's school about school meals.
What is SNAP?
SNAP, sometimes called food stamps, gives people who qualify money for groceries each month on an EBT card. In Georgia, DFCS runs SNAP.
You can apply on Georgia Gateway, along with TANF and Medicaid, or at your county DFCS office.
Questions about who qualifies? Check the official page below. For help, call the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877.423.4746.
Sources: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/about-us/contact-information
What to say at a pantry
"Hi. Is this a good time to pick up food?"
"Do I need to bring anything, like an ID or proof of address?"
"Do you know of another pantry or meal site near here?"
What is WIC?
Georgia WIC helps women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or recently had a baby, and children under 5, in families who qualify. It offers healthy food, nutrition help and breastfeeding support.
Call 800.228.9173 to learn more, or visit your local health department.
Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://dph.georgia.gov/WIC
What should I know about food banks and pantries?
Food banks send food to local pantries, meal sites and mobile food stops. Each pantry sets its own hours and rules.
Some ask for an ID or proof of address. Others don't ask for anything. Call ahead if you can.
Ask about delivery
Some pantries deliver to older adults or people who can't get out. Ask if that's an option.
How can I make food last?
A few simple habits can help your food and your money go further.
- Plan a few meals around what you already have.
- Buy store brands and foods that keep, like rice, beans and oats.
- Freeze bread, meat and leftovers before they go bad.
- Use your EBT card at farmers markets that take it.
Low cost foods that go far
Many schools serve breakfast and lunch, and some offer meals in the summer too. Ask your child's school, or dial 211 and ask about summer meal sites near you.
Every bit helps
A pantry visit, a school meal and SNAP can work together. You don't have to pick just one.
Say you're a grandparent raising two kids in Macon
You could dial 211 to find a pantry near you this week. You could apply for SNAP on Georgia Gateway, and ask the kids' school about meals. If one of the kids is under 5, you could call WIC.
Questions people ask a lot
Can I get food if I don't have an address?
Yes. Many pantries and meal sites serve people with no address.
Can I use SNAP and a pantry?
Yes. Many people use both.
Can I buy hot food with SNAP?
Usually not. Questions about what SNAP covers? Check the official page below.
What if I work?
You may still qualify for SNAP. Apply and see.
How do I find a meal tonight?
Dial 211 and ask for a hot meal near you.
How do I make the most of each call?
Calling for help can feel like a lot. A little planning makes each call easier, and you'll get further, faster.
- Call early in the day if you can. It leaves time to follow up the same day.
- Have a pen, paper and your papers close by before you call.
- Say what you need in one or two sentences first. Then answer their questions.
- Ask, "Is there anything else I should apply for?" One call can open more doors.
- Before you hang up, ask who you talked to and what happens next.
- Write it all down in your call log at the back of this guide.
If you get put on hold or cut off
"Hi, I was just talking with someone about (what you need), and we got cut off."
"Can you help me pick up where we left off?"
"Is there a direct number I can use if this happens again?"
Keep going, friend
If one place can't help, ask them who can. Each call gets you closer.
What if I'm told no, or put on a waitlist?
A no from one place isn't a no from everyone. Programs have different rules, funds and space, and things change from week to week.
- Ask why. Knowing the reason helps you know what to try next.
- Ask, "Who else could help with this?" Write down every name and number they share.
- If you're on a waitlist, ask how long it usually takes and how you'll hear from them. Ask how often you should check in.
- Keep your phone number and address up to date with every program, so you don't miss a call or letter.
- If a state agency turns you down, read the letter right away. It explains how to ask for a review. Call legal aid if you want help.
- Dial 211, or search unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211 any time, to look for other options near you.
Keep your papers safe
You're doing great
Asking for help, and asking again, takes strength. I'm cheering you on every step of the way.
Here is help that works across Georgia, then local help in Atlanta and Fulton County and in Gwinnett County, then help for other counties. Call ahead for hours.
Federal and national help
Here are some places to start.
Summer meals for kids
What it offers In the summer, kids and teens 18 and under can get meals at schools, parks and other places in the community, with no application needed.
How to reach Search the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder online, or ask your local school division.
Source https://www.fna.usda.gov/sfsp/sitefinder
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Georgia
Here are some places to start.
United Way 211 (metro Atlanta)
What it offers A help line and online search for local help with housing, food, utilities, health care and more, run by United Way of Greater Atlanta. Outside metro Atlanta, dialing 211 connects you to the 211 for your area.
How to reach Dial 211, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Search any time at https://unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211/
Source https://unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Georgia Gateway
What it offers Georgia's online site to apply for SNAP (food stamps), TANF cash help, Medicaid, WIC and child care help, and to check your case.
How to reach Apply at https://gateway.ga.gov/ Questions: call the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877.423.4746.
Source https://dfcs.georgia.gov/about-us/contact-information
Last checked October 22, 2026
DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services)
What it offers The state agency that runs SNAP, TANF and Medicaid applications, with an office in every Georgia county.
How to reach Call the Customer Contact Center at 877.423.4746. Apply at https://gateway.ga.gov/
Source https://dfcs.georgia.gov/about-us/contact-information
Last checked October 22, 2026
Georgia WIC
What it offers Healthy food, nutrition help and breastfeeding support for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or recently had a baby, and for children under 5, in families who qualify.
How to reach Call 800.228.9173, or visit your local health department.
Source https://dph.georgia.gov/WIC
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Atlanta and Fulton County
Here are some places to start.
Atlanta Community Food Bank
What it offers A large food bank serving metro Atlanta and north Georgia through partner pantries and food sites. Use its map to find food near you.
How to reach Find food at https://www.acfb.org/
Source https://www.acfb.org/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Atlanta Mission
What it offers Shelter and recovery programs for men, women and children in metro Atlanta.
How to reach Call 404.588.4000.
Source https://atlantamission.org/get-help/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority
What it offers The Community Action Agency for Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. Help with energy bills (LIHEAP) and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow. They see all applicants face to face.
How to reach Visit https://facaa.org/ Office: 341 Kelly St., Atlanta. Don't share personal information over the phone.
Source https://facaa.org/ and https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Gwinnett County
Here are some places to start.
Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry
What it offers Help for Gwinnett families facing a crisis, including help to prevent homelessness, when funds allow.
How to reach Call 770.339.7887.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
What it offers Help for Gwinnett families facing a crisis, including help to prevent homelessness, when funds allow.
How to reach Call 770.263.8268.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett
What it offers Emergency shelter and other help in Gwinnett County.
How to reach Call 770.724.1677.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
Partnership for Community Action
What it offers The Community Action Agency for DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties. Help with energy bills (LIHEAP) and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 3597 Covington Hwy., Decatur. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Other counties (call your Community Action Agency)
Every Georgia county is served by a Community Action Agency that can help with energy bills and emergency needs when funds allow. If you don't live in Fulton or Gwinnett County, start here. Dial 211 for the phone number and hours, or check the Georgia Community Action Association page.
ACTION, Inc. (Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 2440 West Broad St., Suite 9, Athens. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
action pact, Inc. (Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Effingham, Evans, Jeff Davis, Long, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware and Wayne counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 510 Tebeau St., Waycross. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Central Savannah River Area EOA (Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1261 Greene St., Augusta. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Clayton County Community Services Authority (Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1000 Main St., Forest Park. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority (Bryan, Camden, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1 Community Action Dr., Brunswick. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Coastal Plain Area EOA (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1810 W. Hill Ave., A6, Valdosta. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Community Action for Improvement (Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1380 Lafayette Pkwy., LaGrange. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Enrichment Services Program (Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart and Talbot counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 2601 Cross Country Dr., #C, Columbus. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
EOA for Savannah-Chatham County Area (Chatham County)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 618 West Anderson St., Savannah. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Heart of Georgia Community Action Council (Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler and Wilcox counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 324 Pine St., Eastman. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Macon-Bibb County EOC (Bibb County)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 456 Bay St., Macon. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Middle Georgia Community Action Agency (Butts, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Peach, Pike, Spalding, Twiggs and Upson counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 121 Prince St., Warner Robins. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Ninth District Opportunity (Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 308 Spring St., Gainesville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
North Georgia Community Action (Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Walker and Whitfield counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1344 Talking Rock Rd., Jasper. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Overview, Inc. (Baldwin, Hancock, Jasper, Johnson, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 325 N. Cobb St., Milledgeville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Partnership for Community Action (DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 3597 Covington Hwy., Decatur. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Southwest Georgia Community Action Council (Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 912 First Ave. SE, Moultrie. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Tallatoona Community Action Partnership (Bartow, Cobb, Douglas, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding and Polk counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 314 E. Main St., Cartersville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
UNITY Community Action Council (Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Taylor and Webster counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 4036 State Route 90 East, Montezuma. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
My food plan
Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!
My next steps
Calls I made today
Key numbers to keep
You're doing the right thing
Asking for help is a strong thing to do, my friend. You don't need to have it all figured out before you call. Take it one step at a time, and call again tomorrow if you need to.
About this guide
Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 22, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!
Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.
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