(Lawrenceville, Ga., Oct. 31, 2025) – 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 located in Buford, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Norcross. 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. Residents in need are encouraged to contact their local co-op to schedule an appointment for assistance.

“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.

“These co-ops have been on the ground helping families for years,” said Community Services Director Lindsey Jorstad. “Working through them allows us to reach residents across the entire county while making sure help gets where it’s needed most. Our goal is to meet people with dignity and make it a little easier for families to get by.”

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 on site to housing, health care and job support.

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

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

Residents who need food or other assistance can reach the 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.”

Gwinnett County will continue working to identify additional funding sources to support food distribution efforts.