Atlanta Food Bank Supplies Hit Historic Low

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta Community Food Bank is dealing with the lowest supply food in its 30-year history. The organization, which distributes nearly 20 million pounds of food every year to soup kitchens, congregations, and other community groups, says the economy is taking a toll.

Bill Bolling, head of the food bank, says demand is usually up during summers, when kids are out of school and aren't getting free meals.

But he's never seen this before:

BOLLING 2: What's shocking to actually come over here to the food bank and walk through and see al those empty shelves. You know, you're both looking at the quantity of the food and you're also looking at the type of food. How much of the food is nutritional versus how much might be sports drinks or things like that.

As food and fuel prices rose this summer, Bolling says the number of families that rely on the food bank has increased, particularly families where parents have one or more jobs.

Supplies have also decreased as the economy slows, food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers have not been able to donate as much to charities.

Bolling hopes that as the holiday season gears up, people will help plug the hole through online donations and at food drives.