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Upfront Gwinnett: Starved for Solutions

Story Link: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/home/stories/viewstory/-/story/upfront-gwinnett-starving-for-solutions

How Gwinnett is Tackling Hunger with Heart, Humanity, and Homegrown Help

In one of Georgia’s fastest-growing counties, hunger often hides in plain sight. For thousands of working families, food insecurity isn’t about homelessness or poverty - it’s about making impossible choices. Experts say, a growing number of residents are quietly struggling to feed themselves and their children, even as they go to work, attend school, and care for loved ones.

“These are everyday Gwinnettians,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “And I think about our kids - whose only meal may come from school. What happens when school is out for spring break, winter break, or summer? What do those kids do then?”

In a special episode of Upfront Gwinnett titled Starved for Solutions, viewers are taken inside the real and rising challenge of food insecurity and introduced to the community members and programs working to change that story.



Quiet Need, Widespread Impact

Despite Gwinnett’s reputation for opportunity, hunger is pervasive. At weekly mobile food distributions hosted by Volunteer Gwinnett, cars line up hours before food arrives. Some families arrive as early as 11 a.m. for a 2 p.m. event.

“We’re always at the end telling people that we’ve run out,” said Volunteer Gwinnett Director Muriam Nafees. Each week, teams distribute more than 15,000 pounds of food - but demand continues to grow.

Shame keeps some residents from speaking up or even being seen. “They don’t want their neighbors to know they’re in need,” said Nafees.

Hendrickson shared a personal message to those residents: “If you’re struggling, reach out. Your county government is here for you. There are organizations and service providers ready to help - but we can’t help if we don’t know you’re in need.”


Feeding Families with Dignity

In parks and open spaces across the County, Gwinnett’s community garden initiative is planting more than seeds - it’s cultivating solutions. From Caribbean crops in Snellville to Japanese eggplants in Suwanee, culturally relevant produce is harvested and shared through churches, schools, and neighborhood networks.

“We’ve harvested over 50,000 pounds of produce,” said Carion Marcelin of Live Healthy Gwinnett. “Our gardeners are feeding families and feeding them with dignity.”


When Crisis Hit, So Did Compassion

When COVID-19 shut schools and silenced cafeterias, one man stepped in to serve: Chef Hank with Lettum Eat.

Chef Hank said in the first week of spring break 2020, he served 5,000 meals. Now, his nonprofit has delivered nearly half a million meals and is establishing its first community kitchen in partnership with Gwinnett churches and libraries.

“God’s work is not to be done alone,” said Hank. “We should partner and do it together.”


One County. One Response.

This story isn’t just about hunger - it’s about the people who refuse to look away. Volunteers, gardeners, chefs, leaders, and neighbors are helping one another, one box, one meal, one moment at a time.

“My ‘why’ has always been about people,” said Chairwoman Hendrickson. “I know what it’s like to struggle in silence. I want our residents to know—there is a way out. And their Chairwoman will always have their back.”

From front yards to food trucks, Gwinnett’s response to hunger is growing stronger every day.

For more episodes of Upfront Gwinnett, visit TVGwinnett.com.

To learn more about these community resources or to volunteer, please click on the organization names below: