JONESBORO, Ga. — There was a line all the way down Lee Street in Jonesboro on Wednesday morning to pick up free groceries.
The most recent data from Feeding America and data news outlet Stacker show that Clayton County has the highest rate of food-insecure families amongst metro-Atlanta counties.
Ten thousand pounds of food was almost gone in less than an hour.
Kellen Thomas said it's a testament to how great the need is. He says he's lived in Jonesboro since 1989.
"We definitely need a lot," Thomas said. "That's for sure. Clayton County has been in need for a while."
Participants told 11Alive that the people in the community struggling the most are seniors and families with multiple children.
Jonesboro Mayor Donya Sartor has been collaborating with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to give out free food since the pandemic. She decided to keep it going.
"That's really disappointing -- as an elected official -- because we have so many organizations, as well our local and county government, that's trying to address the problem, but we just can't seem to get ahead of it," Sartor said.
Clayton County's child food insecurity rate is about ten percent higher than the national average, according to Stacker.
"Although Clayton County Public Schools does a really good job at providing meals, the kids have to get there for the meals or they have to be available when the meals are delivered to that area," Sartor said.
Many of the drivers in line had kids riding with them. Some, like Thomas, were getting enough food to share with other big families.
"When they're not in school, especially, they're not getting the things they need at home," Thomas said.
Some were getting food out to seniors who can't always get to the store. Sartor says she often brings them the leftovers if she has them.
Anetta Foster, who's lived in the county for 78 years, says it's very appreciated.
'We need a lot of help out here in Clayton County," Foster said,."It's like they leave us out."