Caring For Others, Inc. and The Dream Big Foundation announced the creation of FeedingATL, a partnership aimed at feeding 2000 families in Metro Atlanta. Inspired by the sustained success of FeedingNYC, the inaugural Atlanta event will provide food free of charge to individuals and families with children on Saturday, August 6, 2016. Volunteers will assemble boxes filled with a variety of healthy food options at CFO’s headquarters, which is located at 3357 Browns Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30354, and the distribution kicks off at 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. FeedingATL will meet a critical need in the city, which nationally ranks fourth in the number of families living at or below the poverty level.

Philanthropist and CEO of Live Person, Rob LoCascio, started FeedingNYC in 2001 as a vehicle to connect employees with families in need. Since its inception, more than 43,000 families in New York City have been fed thanksgiving dinners. In lieu of the holidays, FeedingATL will take place in summer– a time of year when many families with children often struggle to purchase basic necessities, such as food, clothing and school supplies.

In addition to distributing food at CFO, volunteers will dispatch to temporary community hubs at churches in neighborhoods identified as food deserts. One such area is the Boulevard corridor in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward, which boasts one of the nation’s highest childhood poverty rates. Other distribution sites include Adamsville, Bankhead, Lakewood Heights and Pittsburgh/Mechanicsville. Providing food to seniors who lack transportation, as well as families with children will be a primary focus.

“To build a better Atlanta, we must first adequately care for the least of these,” said Eslene Richmond-Shockley, president and CEO of Caring For Others. “Poverty is a complex issue that cannot be eradicated overnight, but relieving hunger moves us one step closer to breaking the cycle. Through programs like FeedingATL, we can help communities thrive.”

More than 100 Live Person employees and volunteers from companies such as Chick-fil-A and Delta Air Lines will support the effort.  A significant portion of food will be provided by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. According to the Centers For Disease Control, one-in-five children in America lives in a family that struggles to consistently put enough food on the table.  In Atlanta, this statistic is disproportionately high compared to other major cities across the United States.

“Given what we’ve learned about Atlanta, launching this partnership to feed families is very necessary,” said Pernell Brice, III, executive director of The Dream Big Foundation. “Whether we’re helping families in New York or ATL, our goal is to empower underserved communities while also exposing those who are more fortunate to the many faces of poverty. We invite everyone in Atlanta to join us for a day of meaningful, hands-on service.”