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High Priority Programs

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is here to help those in need and we’re excited to welcome new partner agencies. 

Our vision is to ensure individuals experiencing hunger in our service area have access to the nutritious meals they need. We have numerous partners who are open during the week and during the day, but we’re actively seeking and prioritizing partners who can open their doors on weekends and evenings. 

Currently, we only accept applications for new partners that fall within our service area.

Please read the Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Partnership Consideration section below and, if you meet those criteria, complete the pre-questionnaire form and start the application process for your established nonprofit organization.

Thank you for all that you do to serve our community. Please encourage any neighbor in need of food assistance to text FINDFOOD to 888-976-2232, or to visit Get Help to find a food pantry closest to them.

 

 

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Partnership Consideration

501(c)(3)

In order to be considered for partnership with us, your agency must be designated a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, public nonprofit organization by the Federal Government. An official copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter must be submitted with your application. Further explanations will be required if the letter submitted with your application is under a different organization’s name, such as an explanation of affiliation. For more information, visit the IRS website.

Georgia Secretary of State

Your agency must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a registered nonprofit organization and be in good standing and in compliance. For more information, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Community Need

There must be an established need in your community for a new food program. We reserve the right to review the concentration of agencies in your community. If a food program already exists in your neighborhood, then it may be more beneficial to collaborate with them. Upon request, we will provide a list of other agencies in your area that you may contact to discuss community-specific needs. These agencies may also offer opportunities for you to learn about food program activities in your community via network meetings.

Equal Opportunity & Access

No matter the type of food program, you are expected to serve individuals regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability status, age, pregnancy,or any group membership.

Pest Control Requirements

All partner agencies must have a pest control plan, a current contract with a licensed professional exterminator and an extermination logbook containing your contract and receipts for each visit. This must be available for review when a Food Bank representative visits your site. We recommend monthly exterminator visits although some sites may require more frequent visits.

 

Public Outreach

If you operate a food pantry or provide meals to the public, it’s important that your neighbors are aware of the assistance you offer. 

As a requirement, we ask programs like yours to display a sign that not only signals the presence of your food assistance program but also clearly states the days and hours of operation. This sign must be visible to the public and can be integrated into a church marquee or created on a poster board, measuring at least 8.5″ by 11″. 

Additionally, a sign must be placed on the outside door that neighbors use to access the pantry to ensure they know which entrance to use. Please note that having this sign is mandatory to comply with our partnership agreement. However, if your program is meant for specific groups, like afterschool or backpack programs, posting a sign is not required.

Hours of Operation & Activity

All partner agencies are required to follow a weekly schedule throughout the year and must be open during the days and hours reported to the Food Bank. Temporary schedule changes are permitted, but must be reported in writing as soon as possible. Permanent distribution schedule changes must be submitted in writing as well. 

  • Food pantries must be open a minimum of one time  per week and operate at least 20 hours per month, or must serve 50 or more households per month. 
  • On-Premise Programs, must serve meals to low-income persons on-site at their facilities, such as childcare centers, shelters, and soup kitchens, at least once per week. 
  • Organization must have operated  a food/feeding program for 6 months or more. 
  • Partners must adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the Partnership Contract. 
Partner Agency Application Process

Currently, the Atlanta Community Food Bank accepts partnership applications twice per year: 

  • January – March 
  • July – October 

There are several steps in the application process, including a pre-questionnaire form, information session, inspection, approval, and training. If you meet the Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Partnership Consideration, click here to fill out the prequestionnaire form. If you have any questions, please email us at partner.agencies@acfb.org. 

School Application Process

If you are a school, we require that 50%  or more of the student body participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program and that you serve a minimum of 250 households per distribution. If you are interested in working with the Food Bank, click here.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Application Process

Many seniors in our service area experience food insecurity, having to make difficult decisions, such as choosing between paying for medicine or groceries. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federal program that provides monthly food boxes to seniors 60 years of age and older.

If you are interested in the CSFP Program and serve at least 75 senior households monthly, please click here.

Food Industry Donors

If you work in the food industry, please consider donating your overstocked, shortdated or unused food. We distribute food and grocery products to over 700 partner agencies in 29 metro Atlanta and north Georgia counties. With strong support from our local food industry, we’re able to provide our partner agencies with more than 60 million pounds of food every year. For more information on becoming a food donor, please email us.

Corporate Partners

Our corporate partners are some of our biggest supporters and greatest advocates. Not only in financial contributions and food donations, but in rolling up their sleeve and getting involved. Whether by group volunteering, sponsoring events or hosting their own inter-department food drives, our corporate partners are critical to our success.