The Atlanta Community Food Bank, the central hub in the fight against hunger in Atlanta and North Georgia, is proud to announce receipt of a $100,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program. Launched in 2023, Norfolk Southern's open-application grant programs are designed to support organizations working to create a lasting impact in the areas of safety, sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience. 

This funding will support the Food Bank’s school pantry program, which provides an easily accessible source of nutritious food to low-income students and their families throughout the school year. The program serves families in schools throughout the Food Bank’s 29-county service area, targeting schools where 50% or more students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch program. 

Norfolk Southern is a longstanding partner of the Food Bank and their support for this program will have an immediate, measurable impact in the lives of children. 

“More than 1 in 6 children in the Food Bank’s service area face hunger, and we know that when children are hungry, they have a harder time focusing on school,” said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “We are grateful to Norfolk Southern for helping to fund the vital programs that enable us to provide food to children and their families, ensuring they are able to thrive and pursue their aspirations.”

Additionally, as part of the company's commitment to support the communities it serves, Norfolk Southern employees dedicated over 200 hours of their time to the Food Bank during Fiscal Year 2025 by sorting food and packing boxes to be distributed to individuals and families in need.   

“Thriving communities begin with access to essential resources. Supporting the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s school pantry program helps children and families build a stronger, healthier future,” said Kristin Wong, Director of the Norfolk Southern Foundation & Community Impact.

Support from partners like Norfolk Southern ensures that the Food Bank can serve hundreds of thousands of families a year and connect them with the food and resources they need; not only to survive day to day, but also to allow them to build stability in their lives.