Atlanta food bank scores big with Super Bowl food donation

The New England Patriots weren’t the only ones who scored big during Super Bowl 53.

So did the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

The final score for the nonprofit was more than 71,000 pounds of unserved food.

“This was a great benefit to the food bank and the people it serves,” said Kyle Waide,  CEO and president of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Once the Atlanta Community Food Bank received the “reclaimed” food, it went right out to local partners like food pantries around the metro area and North Georgia.

It fits in with a no-waste initiative by the NFL, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The food effort included donations from hotels, restaurants, event and site organizers and various organizations.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank worked in partnership with  Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit food rescue organization whose mission is to reduce hunger and food waste in metro Atlanta area by getting  surplus food and distributing it to those in need.

“When game day came, we were prepared,” he said. The food included beverages, snacks and a variety of produce -  all previously unserved.

Waide said the nonprofit often benefits from big events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics.

“It’s less about quantity and more about the unique opportunity to leverage special events to make a difference for our neighbors in need.”

KIRO