February 8, 2021

DeKalb Leaders Unite for 2021 “Yes We Can- AGAIN” Initiative

Decatur, Ga.  DeKalb County leaders are once again teaming up to combat hunger for families in need. The 12^th Annual “Yes, We Can- AGAIN!” Food Drive to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, is going virtual this year with a Valentine’s Day kickoff.

Donations to the Food Bank typically decline after the holiday season, but food insecurity is a year-long need, particularly in the face of a pandemic which has strained supply and resources. According to the agency’s COVID-19 related statistics, the Food Bank has seen a 300% increase in inquiries from people seeking food assistance, while in DeKalb County, food distributions have increased 55% over last year. The Food Bank works with 139 DeKalb Agencies which distributed 15,324,996 pounds of food in 2020, cumulatively.

As a result of this increased need, organizers are asking those who can to donate in any amount to help those struggling with hunger and food insecurity.

Online contributions for the 2021 Yes We Can- AGAIN! campaign can be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank between Sunday, February 14^th  and Sunday, February 21^st via the following link:  http://engage.acfb.org/goto/DekalbCountyFoodDrive2021.

Monetary donations will allow the Food Bank to meet a variety of needs, including, but not limited to:

• Purchasing emergency food to support increased food distributions;
• Partnering with schools to feed families who have lost access to school meals;
• Providing food boxes to homebound, at-risk seniors who can't leave home to purchase groceries;   
• Deploying mobile food pantries to high-need areas in the community

The Food Drive is sponsored by former Commissioner Kathie Gannon, District Attorney Sherry Boston, Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling, Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry, Library Director Alison Weissinger, and Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson.