As many residents brace for the impact of service disruptions in federal nutrition assistance programs, Gwinnett County is allocating $250,000 to help families access essential food and hygiene products.

The County will use existing annual contracts to purchase a large supply of shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and household goods identified by local food cooperative partners as items most in demand.

Gwinnett County will enter a zero-dollar distribution agreement with six cooperative ministries:

Lawrenceville Co-Op
52 Gwinnett Drive, Suite C
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770.339.7887
lawrencevillecoop@gmail.com

Lilburn Co-Op
5329 Five Forks Trickum Road
Lilburn, GA 30047
770.931.8333
info@lilburncoop.org

Duluth Co-Op
3649 Rogers Bridge Road
Duluth, GA 30097
770.623.9563
info@duluthco-op.org

North Gwinnett Co-Op
4395 Commerce Drive
Buford, GA 30518
770.271.9793

Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op
55 Grayson Industrial Parkway
Grayson, GA 30017
770.985.5229
info@segwinnettcoop.org 

Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 510
Norcross, GA 30071
770.263.0013
info@ourncm.org 

Residents in need are encouraged to contact their local co-op to schedule an appointment for assistance.

Once vendors deliver the items to a central site, County employees and volunteers will divide the supplies and deliver them directly to the partner locations.

“When federal safety nets are disrupted, local governments and communities have to step in,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “More than 90,000 Gwinnett residents rely on SNAP, and as those benefits pause, we’re doing what we can to fill the gap. What started as food distribution has become a lifeline for thousands of families.”

This effort builds on five years of County partnerships focused on addressing food insecurity. One key collaboration is with the Atlanta Community Food Bank through the Mobile Food Distribution Program, which delivers food directly to residents where they live, work, and gather.

The items being purchased include soups, cereals, peanut butter, pancake mix, fruit cups, granola bars, and electrolyte drinks, along with paper towels, disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent, dish soap, and other basic household needs.

This year alone, the County has hosted 42 mobile food distributions, while serving 334,000 meals to more than 64,000 residents. Since 2020, the County and its partners have held 323 distributions across Gwinnett, served more than 430,000 residents in over 103,000 households, and distributed 2.8 million pounds of food.

Gwinnett’s food distribution events provide families with more than groceries. Fire and Emergency Services offers free home safety education and smoke detector installation in residents’ homes. The Water Resources Assistance Program helps families fix plumbing and install water-saving fixtures. One Stop for Help Community Navigators connect residents onsite to housing, health care, and job support. 

Residents can pick up free food and resources at upcoming mobile food distributions, starting at 3:00pm and continuing while supplies last. Events are planned for the following dates:

• November 4 at Lenora Park in Snellville
• November 18 at Bryson Park in Lilburn
• December 9 at Rock Springs Park in Lawrenceville
• December 16 at Shorty Howell Park in Duluth
• December 23 at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office will also host its annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway on Thursday, November 6 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville.

Residents who need food or other assistance can reach One Stop for Help Community Navigators any time at 770.822.8850 or use the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Pantry Map to find local pantries.

County teams will also provide more than 450 meals to students in County-run afterschool programs so no child goes hungry during school breaks.

For older adults, the Health and Human Services Division’s Home Delivered Meals Program provides a five-day supply of frozen meals each week to homebound, ill, or incapacitated seniors age 60 and older. To learn more, call 678.377.4150.

“Every number we share represents a life touched,” Hendrickson concluded. “We’re asking the community to stay involved — donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word. Every act of kindness moves us forward.”

Residents can support local cooperative ministries by dropping off donations during the following hours:

Lawrenceville Co-Op

• Monday from 9:00am to 7:00pm
• Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm
• Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to noon
• Saturday from 10:00am to 11:30am
   

Lilburn Co-Op

• Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm
   

Duluth Co-Op

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 2:00pm
   

North Gwinnett Co-Op

• Monday from noon to 8:00pm
• Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm
   

Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00am to noon
   

 Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries

• Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm
• Tuesday from 9:00am to 7:00pm (back of the building)
  
  

Volunteer opportunities are also available. Register for the following events:

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway

• Event preparation: November 3, 4, and 5
• Event: November 6
  
  

Mobile Food Distributions

• November 4 and 18
• December 9 and 16
   

Gwinnett County will continue working to identify additional funding sources to support food distribution efforts. Watch the Gwinnett County Food Insecurity Press Conference below to hear from County officials.