Be Like Dolly and
Take Action!
September 2026
September is Hunger ACTION Month –
a time to remember that hunger is not an abstract problem.
**It is a neighbor deciding which bill to pay first.
**It is a senior stretching groceries one more day.
**It is a parent trying to make dinner from what is left.
At Toco Hills Community Alliance, we see these choices every week, and because of you, we also see the power of community to meet them with dignity, respect, and practical help.
This month, we are also asking our community to look closely at food disruption and food waste. Recalls, supply interruptions, extreme heat, and safety concerns have meant large amounts of food have been discarded, even as more families seek help. That tension is heartbreaking as good food is precious, hunger is growing, and every meal matters.
Why This Matters Now
Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2026 reports that food insecurity is present in every U.S. community and that nearly 48 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024.
Here in Georgia, the need is close to home. Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Georgia summary of Map the Meal Gap 2026 reports that 1 in 6 people in Georgia, including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. While the USDA is no longer tracking food insecurity data, trends show that 2025 and 2026 statistics will show a much graver picture.
In addition, starting next month, in October, our state will become responsible for a higher percentage of the administrative cost of SNAP (what used to be called food stamps) – going from paying 50% to 75%. Georgia’s state budget does contain some funds to cover the increase, but any glitch in either the federal or state system could mean a loss in access for families. And, if you remember last fall, a loss in access to SNAP means very looooong lines here.
Call to Action
This Hunger Action Month, you can help Toco Hills Community Alliance turn concern into action:
**Donate food or funds to help keep shelves stocked when need rises.
**Share this message so more neighbors understand both the need and the opportunity to help.
**Reach out to local, state and national representatives and share your concerns about hunger in our community.
**Reduce waste at home by planning meals, storing food carefully, and sharing surplus when possible.
Be Like Dolly
Just a few weeks ago, the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton passed away. However, she was more than a singer/songwriter who transcended genres and became a film star. Dolly never forgot that she came from a poor family in Tennessee and gave back in many ways to her community and the world. Through Imagination Station, she ensured that children would receive books to read. She donated to the hospitals in Tennessee, invested in poor neighborhoods in Nashville, and even underwrote costs for a COVID vaccine.
About her background and why she gave back, Dolly Parton once said:
“I went to bed hungry many nights as a child. It was a Dream that dressed me up when I was ragged, and it was a Dream that filled me up when I was hungry. Now it’s my Dream to see that no child in this world ever goes hungry.
We can do better… we must!”
In all honesty, Dolly Parton’s death has moved in ways I cannot fully express. I do know that part of it is that I do admire and am inspired by the ways she continued to give back to her community and made such a difference in the world.
You all have partnered with us here at THCA, and together, we are making a positive impact for those neighbors deciding about bills and seniors stretching funds and parents feeding their kids. THANK YOU!!!
So, this Hunger Action Month, let us continue to take action to make a difference in our neighborhood, and let’s be like Dolly!
Gratefully,
Rev. Dr. Lisa Heilig
Executive Director
Every year, we are so grateful to partner with colleges and universities to provide opportunities for interns to come work with us at THCA and learn about serving our neighbors, about food justice, and about nonprofits.
This year, we are pleased to welcome 8 new student interns who are first year Master of Divinity students at Candler School of Theology at Emory. We are also pleased to welcome 2 new first year student interns from the Medical School at Emory and 1 new student intern who is a Master of Development Practice student at Emory.
In addition to these Master degree students, we do also have 1 student who is working on a practicum for a Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary.
We are looking forward to a year of fruitful learning for them all!
If you ever wonder what food and supply items we need most at THCA, we keep an updated list on our website. Food items need to be unopened. But, canned or boxed items can be accepted up to 6 months past the “Best By”date. We can also accept unopened frozen food items.
And, we always need, clean dry plastic grocery bags. We can re-use them to pack our groceries in.
Thank you all so much!
Copyright © 2026 Toco Hills Community Alliance, All rights reserved.
Our physical address is:
1790 Lavista Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
Our mailing address is:
2897 North Druid Hills Rd., #115
Atlanta, GA 30329
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