LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Gwinnett County kicked off its annual summer meal program today, preparing to serve more than 200,000 meals to local children and families in need.
County officials have reported a significant rise in food insecurity, a trend seen across the state of Georgia.
"We served a little over 200,000 meals last year, and we expect to be in a similar range this year," said Chris Minor from the Gwinnett County Department of Parks and Recreation.
On its first day, volunteers at Rhodes Jordan Park served over 160 meals. The park is one of 20 sites across the county where residents can receive free meals throughout the summer.
"Regardless of what your neighborhood looks like, there's always someone that’s going to need a little extra assistance," a volunteer said.
With Gwinnett County's population now exceeding 1 million and over half of its school system students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the need for such programs is more pressing than ever.
"New data from the Map the Meal Gap study shows one in five children in Georgia are facing hunger, up from one in eight last year," Minor said. "Additionally, 68 percent of Georgians may be ineligible for SNAP benefits, which is higher than the national average."
These statistics underscore the critical nature of the summer meal program.
"Having to feed a child is one less thing that a parent has to worry about, especially during the summer when school meals are not an option," Minor added.
To further assist families, the Atlanta Community Food Bank has introduced a text line that helps people locate meal sites. This initiative complements the efforts of Gwinnett’s summer meals program, aiming to ensure no one goes hungry during the summer months.
"We expect to distribute close to 20 million meals just during the summer," said Kyle Waide, the CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
"As we enter the summer months, the need is even greater, and we look to our community to help fill the gap so no Georgia child goes hungry."
For more information on meal locations, families can text "FINDFOOD" or "COMIDA" to 888-976-2232, or visit the Atlanta Community Food Bank website to find a partner food pantry.
Free Meal distribution can be found at the following locations from May 28 until August 2.
Berkeley Lake
Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center
4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Buford
Bogan Park Community Recreation Center
2723 N Bogan Road
Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center
2020 Clean Water Drive
OneStop Buford
2755 Sawnee Avenue
Dacula
Dacula Park Activity Building
2735 Auburn Avenue
Duluth
Shorty Howell Park Activity Building
2750 Pleasant Hill Road
Lawrenceville
Club Drive Park
3330 Club Drive
Rhodes Jordan Park Multipurpose Field
100 E Crogan Street
Sweet Water Park
800 Bethesda School Road
Lilburn
Bryson Park
5075 Lawrenceville Highway
Lilburn Activity Building
788 Hillcrest Road
Mountain Park Park Depot
5050 Five Forks-Trickum Road
Loganville
Vines Park
3500 Oak Grove Road
Norcross
Best Friend Park Gym
6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard
Graves Park
1540 Graves Road
Lucky Shoals Park
Community Recreation Center
4651 Britt Road
Snellville
Lenora Park Gym
4515 Lenora Church Road
OneStop Centerville
3075 Bethany Church Road
Snellville Microtransit
Stone Mountain
Yellow River Park
3232 Juhan Road
Suwanee
George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center
55 Buford Highway