Nonprofit Encourages Community to Address Food Insecurity with Healthy Choices Amid Funding Challenges
(SAVANNAH, GA) – Healthy Savannah is calling on residents, faith communities and local businesses to donate healthy, non-perishable foods to area food pantries during this holiday season, but also throughout the entire year. As food insecurity continues to affect thousands of families in Coastal Georgia, Healthy Savannah emphasizes the critical need for nutritious options to support community health, particularly as government funding for food assistance remains uncertain.
Statistics show that nearly 1 in 6 households in Chatham County experiences food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Children are especially vulnerable, with local schools reporting that over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. These numbers highlight a persistent crisis that extends far beyond the holiday season.
Ongoing challenges with federal funding for programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and other food assistance initiatives have placed additional strain on local food banks and pantries. These programs are vital lifelines for many families, and when resources are cut or delayed, community support becomes even more crucial.
“We are grateful for the generosity our community shows during the holidays, but hunger doesn’t end after December,” said Armand Turner, executive director of Healthy Savannah. “Nutritious food donations help children learn, parents work, and seniors stay healthy. By choosing to give healthy foods all year, we can truly make a lasting difference for our neighbors.”
Turner says healthy food donations help fill empty stomachs but also support better health outcomes. Nutritious foods can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. For children, access to healthy food is essential for physical development, academic performance, and overall well-being.
Top 10 Healthy Foods to Donate
• Canned vegetables (low-sodium)
• Canned fruit (in juice or water, not syrup)
• Dried or canned beans and lentils
• Brown rice and whole grain pasta
• Oats and whole grain cereals (low-sugar)
• Peanut butter and other nut butters
• Canned tuna, salmon, or chicken (in water)
• Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
• Unsalted nuts and seeds
• Cooking essentials like olive oil
Healthy Savannah is also encouraging everyone to focus on their own health and well-being during the holiday season:
• Choose fruits and vegetables at every meal
• Stay hydrated with water instead of sugary drinks
• Be mindful of portion sizes at holiday gatherings
• Include physical activity in your holiday routine
• Get enough sleep to support your immune system
“The holidays often remind us of the importance of doing something for others, so in addition to donating healthy foods to pantries, consider volunteering or organizing donation drives within your neighborhoods, workplaces, and faith communities,” said Turner. “Together, we can fight hunger and build a healthier Coastal Georgia—for the holidays and every day of the year.”
Healthy Savannah has compiled these local and statewide resources to help those affected by food insecurity:
Statewide Resources
- Food Finder US: Visit foodfinder.us to locate nearby pantries and meal programs.
- Instacart: 50% off your next grocery order if you used a SNAP/EBT card in October (discount applies automatically in November).
- DoorDash: Use code SNAPDD for free delivery and service fees on one grocery order from select SNAP-enabled stores (Nov 1–30, 2025).
Local Resources
- Second Harvest Food Bank: Increasing donations to meet community needs.
- Forsyth Farmers’ Market: Accepts existing SNAP tokens and offers fresh produce every Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM, at Forsyth Park.
- Emmaus House: 18 Abercorn St. – Bag Day Fridays 8:30–9 AM; Breakfast Mon–Fri 8:30–10 AM.
- Mas Paz Counseling Center: 216 E 41st St. – Food donation bin available nightly.
- Additional support available through: Armor of God (912-656-3774), Catholic Charities (912-233-1877), Ceceline Blake Foundation, Chevis Oak Baptist Church, Christ Memorial Baptist Church, and City Church.
Savannah Feed the Hungry Giveaways
- Nov 15, 11 AM–3 PM – Johnson High School
- Nov 16 – David’s Crabhouse (time TBA)
- Nov 22, 9 AM – Carver Village
- Nov 25, 4 PM – John S. Delaware Center
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA / HEALTHY SAVANNAH REACH GRANT: In October 2025, Healthy Savannah announced continued funding of the CDC’s five-year, $5.1 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant, originally endowed in 2023. The funds, administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, support sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding. Working with over 200 community partners, the Savannah/Chatham County team is advancing these goals through an “upstream” approach. Healthy Savannah observed its 18th year in 2025. The organizations were awarded an initial $3.4 million five-year CDC grant in 2018 and have also administered several other supplemental grants. Healthy Savannah was honored with the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. healthysavannah.org | ymcaofcoastalga.org
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Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
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