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Food assistance

Federal Food Assistance Program on Brink of Collapse in Georgia Due to Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, a critical food assistance program that benefits over 1.4 million Georgians is on the verge of running out of funding. Despite calls from Democratic lawmakers, Governor Brian Kemp has refused to use state resources to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing. Meanwhile, food banks and pantries across the state are bracing for an influx of visitors, many of whom will face the abrupt loss of food aid starting this weekend.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1.4 million Georgians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance.
  • Governor Brian Kemp has refused to use state resources to keep SNAP benefits flowing, despite calls from Democratic lawmakers.
  • Food banks and pantries across the state are preparing for an influx of visitors, many of whom will face the loss of food aid.
  • Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, a food bank serving approximately 20,000 people each month, will struggle to fill the void if SNAP benefits are cut off.
  • SNAP recipients will lose access to food assistance if the federal government shutdown continues.
  • States like Louisiana and Virginia have announced plans to use state funding to assist SNAP recipients during the shutdown.
  • The Atlanta Community Food Bank will draw $5 million from its reserves to increase distribution by nearly 85%.
  • New Disabled South, a nonprofit group, is providing one-time payments of $250 to SNAP recipients to help access the kinds of food they need.

Statistics:

  • 1.4 million: Number of Georgians relying on SNAP for food assistance.
  • 6 meals: SNAP provides approximately six meals for every one meal provided by food banks.
  • 20,000: Number of people served by Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia each month.
  • 85%: Increase in distribution by the Atlanta Community Food Bank due to the shutdown.
  • $5 million: Amount drawn by the Atlanta Community Food Bank from its reserves.
  • 19,000: Number of applications received by New Disabled South for direct cash assistance in two days.
  • $4 million: Total amount of requested aid from New Disabled South.
  • 40%: Percentage of requests from Georgia residents for direct cash assistance.
  • $14.6 billion: Georgia's budget surplus.

Sources:

  • https://georgiarecorder.com/briefs/federal-food-aid-for-over-one-million-georgians-to-stop-nov-1-because-of-shutdown/
  • https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/10/27/georgia-democrats-call-on-governor-to-use-state-funds-to-keep-food-benefits-flowing-during-shutdown/
  • https://www.acfb.org/wp-content/uploads/Reserve-Release-10.30.25.pdf
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJTtwNs_wDM0lxnxmP5ig_-9PnaRmyWQuv2qoX6DgN9gVwdQ/closedform
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/DQUlOdXj1ap/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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