Become a Partner
on the Mission
to End Hunger.

Food Pantries are community-based, nonprofit food assistance programs most often found at churches, synagogues, mosques, and social service agencies. They provide a limited amount of food to individuals and families facing either food emergencies or ongoing food needs.

    Food Pantries must:

• Be open a minimum of one time a week and operate at least 20 hours a month. In addition, all pantries must serve 35 or more households per month.
• Post signs that indicate both the presence of the food program and the days and hours of distribution.
• Be willing and able to provide food to those in need without requiring the recipient to pay, pray or work in order to eat or gain admission to the food distribution setting.
• Post a sign that states there is no fee or donation recommended or required to obtain food assistance.
• Adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the Partnership Contract.

On-Premise Programs serve food to low-income persons on-site at their facilities, such as child care centers, shelters, and soup kitchens.

    On-Premise Programs must:

• Provide a copy of DHR license, if applicable.
• Provide a copy of County Health Department Report, if applicable.
• Provide any Safe Food Handler’s certificate recognized by county.
• Provide proof of operating a food pantry or an on-premise feeding program at least 6 months prior to the date on the application.
• Have mealtimes that occur at least once a week.
• Be willing and able to provide food to those in need without requiring the recipient to pay, pray, or work in order to eat or gain admission to the food distribution setting.
• Have a stove with a hood (vent) to ensure proper air ventilation.
• Have an industrial dishwasher or a three-step dishwashing sink.
• Have a hand-washing sink separate from dishwashing sink.
• Have one dial stem thermometer to measure the temperatures of a refrigerator, frozen and re-heated hot foods.
• Adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the Partnership Contract.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Pantry programs must have regularly scheduled food distributions at least once a week, for a minimum of 20 hours/month.
• Hot meal programs must have regularly scheduled meal times at least once a week.

All partner agencies must post a sign that indicates both the presence of the food program and the days and hours of operation. This sign must be clearly visible to the public. It may be part of a church marquee or the days and hours of operation may be written on poster board that is at least 8.5”x 11”. In addition, a sign must be placed on the outside door that clients use to access the pantry so they know which entrance to use.

Agencies must also visibly publicize their presence and days and hours of operation in their community by distributing flyers or by listing their location, telephone number and days and hours of operation in a local newspaper or library. Agencies serving specific populations (such as those serving clients living with HIV/AIDS) are exempt from this requirement. We strongly encourage agencies to list with United Way’s 211 First Call For Help Line and consider other ways to publicize.

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.