With the recent cut to SNAP benefits and Atlanta’s rise in food insecurity, our team put together a list of resources to help connect ATLiens with those who can help. So, if you or someone you know is in need of food or a hot meal, we hope this list of trusted organizations can help or someone you know, make it through this holiday season.
What a week to remember! Hands On Atlanta Week 2025 proved, once again, that when Atlantans come together with purpose, amazing things happen.
In partnership with The Same House and their Beloved Benefit Beneficiaries, this year’s Hands On Atlanta Week (October 4 - 11, 2025) brought people from every corner of our city to serve side by side — building connections, transforming spaces, and spreading love through action.
For the 2024 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by Delta Air Lines, more than 3,000 volunteers supported over 50 nonprofits and schools across 300 projects! The focus for the week prioritized projects around Food Security and Hurricane Helene relief efforts, but volunteers created meaningful impact in all kinds of areas including building bikes, park beautifications, tutoring elementary students and so much more!
We’re excited to introduce our newest Hands On Hunger cohort! Since 2018, in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, we’ve led 10 cohorts of pantries through our intensive 2 year capacity-building program, with this being our 11th.
Meet Ashley Cole, a powerhouse of purpose whose volunteer journey is rooted in compassion, community, and a deep love for Atlanta. For Ashley, giving back isn’t just a pastime—it’s transformed the way she lives, leads, and connects with others. When she’s not girl bossing as a IT Technical Content Creator, you can find her all throughout Atlanta enjoying the city and volunteering to help the unhoused!
Learn more about Ashley in our interview below!
Say hey to Beatrice Jones — a Sophomore in high school and a total rockstar volunteer!
When she’s not kicking goals on the soccer field, she’s out in the community making an even bigger impact. Beatrice is a regular with First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta’s Community Ministries, City of Refuge, and Make-A-Wish Georgia — talk about a service superstar! She's passionate about fighting homelessness, helping others, and rallying her friends to join in too. Funny, creative, and full of heart, Beatrice is proof that young people are leading the way and having fun while they’re at it.
Learn more about Beatrice in our interview below!
Meet Ennis Antoine — a leader whose passion for people shines through everything he does. As the Managing Broker at Keller Williams West Atlanta, Ennis brings purpose and heart to his professional life, while dedicating his time outside the office to causes that uplift our city. Whether he’s helping build homes with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity or delivering meals with Open Hand Atlanta, Ennis shows up with care, compassion, and a deep love for community.
We’re excited to shine a light on one of our incredible nonprofit partners, The Welcome Co-op — a true champion for refugee families making Georgia their new home.
At Hands On Atlanta, we believe in the power of community, and The Welcome Co-op lives that value every day. They’re a collaborative force made up of Atlanta’s refugee resettlement organizations, working together to provide safe housing, clothing, household essentials, and most importantly, a heartfelt welcome to families starting fresh in a new place.
We’re proud to share how The Welcome Co-op is building a more inclusive, supportive Atlanta — one family at a time. By coming together, we can say “welcome home” a little louder, a little stronger, and a whole lot more meaningfully.
Meet Danette Shockley, a civic leader who is driven, compassionate, and a visionary who truly cares about community support and empowerment in Atlanta. Her mission is clear: address food insecurity, combat homelessness, and uplift underserved communities by bridging critical gaps in access to resources. With a deep understanding shaped by personal experience, Danette leads with heart, dignity, and purpose—crafting sustainable solutions and advocating for financial opportunities, nutritious food, and small business support.
Say hello to Lauren Matthews—a powerhouse volunteer and community champion who's showing up and showing out for Atlanta! Whether she's mentoring students, organizing community events, or raising her voice for equity, Lauren is all in when it comes to creating a better, more inclusive city for everyone.
She’s not just making a difference—she’s building a stronger Atlanta, one act of service at a time!
We're thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible volunteers — Stephen Rogers! Stephen brings a lifetime of experience and compassion to his service. A retired residential homebuilder, Stephen is now a dedicated and familiar face at Urban Recipe, where he volunteers regularly to support local food access efforts. But his commitment to serving others doesn’t stop there — he also travels the globe giving back through a service program with Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Whether he's lending a hand close to home or across continents, Stephen's heart for service inspires us all!
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