Brookhaven, Latin American Association To Open Food Pantry

BROOKHAVEN, GA — A new food pantry is coming to Brookhaven's Buford Highway corridor.

The Latin American Association (LAA) and the city of Brookhaven announced the opening of a new food pantry Thursday, located at 2750 Buford Highway NE in Brookhaven. The LAA was able to renovate and open the food pantry due to a $25,000 grant from the city, according to a news release.

“We’ve seen since the start of the pandemic that many families are experiencing food insecurity, and it continues into 2021,” said Santiago Marquez, CEO of the LAA, in the release. “With the new food pantry, we are able to have a larger food capacity and provide more families with food.”

Families will be served by appointment each week on a first-come, first-served basis. Families in need can contact the Family Stabilization and Well Being Department at 404-638-1839.

A ribbon cutting for the new ceremony is set to take place Friday at 11 a.m. at the LAA at 2750 Buford Highway NE in Brookhaven.

Anyone who wants to donate or attend is required to wear a face mask and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing and proper COVID-19 prevention, the release said.

“Working families have been disproportionately hit by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic a year ago, Brookhaven has maintained its commitment to keep the public safe while supporting families,” Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst said in the release. “That is why we offered CARES Act funding to provide rent relief and electricity bill payments to those economically destabilized by the pandemic, and our work continues here with the LAA to help feed families in need.”

The community can support the food pantry by donating nonperishable food or making a donation to the LAA.