Gannon Pushes Support for Atlanta Food Pantry

The plight of local food banks has caught the attention of two DeKalb County officials who are sponsoring a food drive to help replenish the shelves at the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Commissioner Kathie Gannon and DeKalb County Solicitor-General Sherry Boston are teaming up to sponsor a food drive to kick off on Valentine’s Day.

“Solicitor-General Boston and I are asking all DeKalb employees and citizens to donate food for the hungry,” said Gannon.

“This time of year after the holidays the pantry shelves at the Atlanta Community Food Bank are looking bare,” said Solicitor-General Boston.

Hunger is Georgia has become a bigger problem since the recession. Roughly 17 percent of the households and 28 percent of children in the area served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which includes DeKalb, do not always know where their next meal is coming from. Food collection barrels will be placed in DeKalb County government office buildings including the Court House and Maloof Center. The Food Drive will last from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28. Among the most needed items are canned tuna, peanut butter, fruit juices, canned vegetables and paper products.

“No one should have to choose between paying the rent, paying for their prescriptions or paying for food,” Boston said.

Citizens and employees are encouraged to bring donations to the following county buildings: Maloof Center at 1300 Commerce Drive, the Court House at 556 McDonough St., the Clark Harrison Building at 330 West Ponce de Leon and the Tax Commissioners Office at 4380 Memorial Drive.

This article was provided by Gannon's office and edited for publication.