Urgent Call for Athens-Clarke County Government & Community: Protect Athens Families from the SNAP Freeze
CALL TO ACTION! The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is calling on Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission, local nonprofits, churches, civic organizations, and residents to unite behind a nonpartisan community effort to help Protect Georgia Families from the SNAP Freeze scheduled for November 1.
Just imagine being a veteran, someone living with a disability, or a single mother raising two kids. You’ve done everything right, followed the rules, worked hard, and relied on SNAP benefits to make sure your family eats. Now, suddenly, you no longer have access to buy food, and there’s no way to increase your income fast enough to fill the gap.
That will be the reality for thousands of Georgia families on November 1. The SNAP freeze, triggered by new federal eligibility rules and work requirements taking effect on November 1, will cripple households and put public safety at risk. Studies show that hunger can lead to “survival behavior,” including theft, conflict, and violence when basic needs aren’t met. Whether or not you rely on SNAP, this will affect all of us: our schools, our neighborhoods, and our collective sense of stability.
In Athens-Clarke County, SNAP enrollment has already dropped between 25% and 50% since 2017, despite a recent surge as more residents struggled through inflation and housing insecurity. These numbers aren’t just statistics, they represent real people: veterans who served this country, seniors on fixed incomes, parents choosing between rent and groceries.
Now more than ever, as a community we must work together, support one another, and request that our state leaders release emergency funds and establish contingency plans to prevent future disruptions in food security benefits.
This is an opportunity to get ahead of this issue, and we’re asking the Athens Mayor, and Commission to add this topic for discussion at the next regular legislative session at City Hall — ideally Tuesday November 4th, 2025.
In addition to helping to:
Advocate for the release of emergency contingency funds to help protect Athens and Georgia families from the SNAP Freeze.
Support legal and appeal assistance for those wrongly denied benefits.
Create a local emergency plan to prevent future disruptions to essential aid.
Other states, such as Louisiana and Virginia, have already stepped up, creating emergency funds to ensure no one goes hungry during this federal freeze. And Georgia can and must do the same. Governor Kemp has the power to act under an emergency measure tied to agriculture and public health.
It is also important for recipients to know their rights, such as If your benefits have been reduced or delayed: you have the right to appeal. In addition to:
DFCS must give written notice before cutting or ending someone’s benefits.
You have 90 days to appeal, and if you file within 10 days, your benefits must continue while your case is reviewed.
Keep every notice, letter, or email. Documentation is key.
This crisis is not just about policy, it’s about people. And together, we can take care of each other.
How can you help us make a difference:
Sign below: We’re calling on Athens residents to get involved, complete and sign the form below to show your support..
Partner With Us: If your organization, business, or church has food, resources, or funding available, contact us to be listed as a local resource provider. Because even if the freeze is lifted, hundreds of families might not receive their benefits for eligibility and technical reasons.
Volunteer: Join our community outreach and support drives to help families file appeals, find resources, and stay informed.
Share Information: Spread this message to neighbors, veterans, and seniors who may not have access to the internet or official updates. It’s critical that all recipients and applicants protect their rights by filing appeals as soon as possible if benefits are delayed, reduced, denied, or stopped, and keeping relevant documents and all DFCS communications.
This Is About Humanity, Not Politics
No matter where you stand politically, this moment demands compassion and common sense. Food is not a privilege, it’s a human right. When people go hungry, our entire community suffers.
