ATLANTA — The Grocery Spot, a free grocery store located on Atlanta's West Side, recently paused its operations due to a massive electricity bill.
Organizers said that if they can't pay the bill, they won't be able to stay open.
The Grocery Spot is a "community-funded and supported" free grocery store working to combat food insecurity in the Grove Park and Center Hill neighborhoods of Atlanta. In a social media post on Friday, the nonprofit announced they are temporarily closing their doors until they can afford to pay their power bill.
The local store moved to its current location along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway to serve an area with limited access to fresh and affordable groceries. The need for newer freezers to meet demand caused a significant increase in their electricity bill, which recently exceeded $2,600. The staff relies entirely on donations of food and money to operate, and without sufficient funds, the store faces closure.
Volunteer coordinator Darius Tigner said the store serves over 1,000 people each week, a number that continues to rise as food costs increase.
The Grocery Spot offers everything from fresh produce to Pedialyte, free of charge to the public. Tigner expressed hope that the store can remain open to provide essential nutrition to those who need it most.
"So many people are dealing with so many things, and food insecurity is one of the biggest issues we’re facing," Tigner told 11Alive. "The most important thing is that people can come in, families can come in and get the food they need to cook a hot meal because food is love."
The future of The Grocery Spot now hinges on the community's support to cover the unexpected costs and keep its doors open.
More information on donating to The Grocery Spot can be found here.