The Atlanta Community Food Bank drive-through food pantry events held at South Cobb Regional Library since 2021 have stopped due to funding and staffing issues.

The library hosted the popular events on the first Wednesday of the month, but despite the inability to keep them going, other programs will still offer help.

Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program, is providing meals to children free of charge through drive-thru service at three libraries through July, excluding the week of July 4-8. Cobb County Public Library is teaming with Georgia Educational Resources Inc. (GER) to provide a summer meal service funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Packages of 14 meals each – one whole week of breakfasts and lunches – are offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last at the following locations and dates:

• Wednesdays, June 22 - July 27, 10 am-noon: South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton 30126. 678-398-5828
• Thursdays, June 23 - July 28, 1:30 pm -3:30 pm: North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw 30144. 770-801-5320
• Tuesdays, June 28 - July 26, 10 am-noon: Charles D. Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta 30060. 770-528-2320.

A local county-inspected commercial kitchen prepares the meals that are free for children ages 18 and younger.  Adults 19 years and older who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities will also receive meals.

CCPL is also partnering with MUST Ministries to collect non-perishable goods from the public for its food pantry. MUST collection barrels are located at West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw 30152, and Kemp Memorial Library, 4029 Due West Road, Marietta 30064.

For information on the Happy Helpings program and children’s food insecurity in Georgia, visit www.happyhelpingsga.com. 

Information on opportunities to donate or volunteer for MUST Ministries food collection is at mustministries.org.