Emergency Food Assistance

I was hungry...

and you gave me something to eat

Learn more about food assistance

Emergency Medication Assistance

I was sick...

and you looked after me

Learn more about medication assistance

Emergency Utility Assistance

I needed help...

and you met my needs

Learn more about utilities assistance

All assistance, including food orders, will be by appointment only.

Food, Rx, and Utility Assistance Appointment Scheduling

Same-day appointments may be made as available. Please call 404-373-2300 for utility bill assistance and call 404-373-9283 for food  and Rx assistance ONLY.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

• 8:30am–11:30am

Food Selection Times

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

• 9:00am–11:15 am

Donations / Deliveries

DEAM is closed for assistance on Wednesdays and only open for donations and deliveries.

• Wednesdays

• 8:30am–11:30am

‍Weather Closure

DEAM follows the weather closure policy of City Schools of Decatur. When CSD is closed, DEAM is closed.

DEAM serves more than 250 local families and 125 unhoused clients a month, providing critical assistance to ease hunger, prevent utility service disconnection, and purchase life-sustaining prescriptions for qualified residents.

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Volunteer with DEAM

‍

DEAM is grateful for your generous contributions to this year's Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Walk Run! We exceeded our goal of $7500. Your contributions will help DEAM continue to serve the community with food assistance through our pantry. If you'd like to continue your support, click the green button below to learn about more ways to give.

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DEAM seeks volunteers to help as greeters, in the office, and in our food pantry. Find out about the many ways you can help prevent homelessness and hunger in the Decatur area.

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Utility Assistance and Food Pantry Appointments:

To request utility assistance:

  1. Call 404-373-2300 during office hours (8:30 am-11:30am) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Once your request has been confirmed over the phone, please email water & gas bills to  info@deamdecatur.org You MUST call before emailing or bringing a water or gas bill to see if funds are available and to verify that you live within our service area.
  2. If you do not have access to email, a water or gas bill can be brought to the office during office hours. You MUST call first to see if funds are available and to verify that you live within our service area.

To make an appointment to shop in the food pantry:

  1. Call 404-373-9283 during office hours (8:30am-11:30am) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. You will need to verify that you live within our service area before making an appointment.

Where do I start?

If you or someone you know needs help, please visit our Eligibility page to find information on who qualifies for assistance, what assistance can be offered, and other important information you need to know.

Learn more about qualifying for assistance

Ready to Donate Now?

We've made it easy for you to support DEAM's ministry and mission! Just click on the button to provide financial assistance on a secure website.

What a great way to honor or memorialize someone!

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How DEAM & You Serve the Community

Food Distribution

DEAM provides emergency food and basic toiletries to qualifying residents.

Learn more

Prescription Purchases

DEAM provides financial assistance to qualifying residents for prescriptions.

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Utilities Continuity

DEAM helps prevent cut-off of water, gas, and electricity services by providing financial assistance to qualifying residents.

LEARN MORE

Urgent & Ongoing Food Pantry Needs

DEAM relies on contributions of non-perishable food and basic health supplies. DEAM buys many canned goods from the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) at pennies on the dollar, but the items listed below are always in short supply.

Our ongoing needs
  • small boxes corn muffin mix
  • juice boxes
  • canned soups
  • reusable bags
  • laundry pods or powdered detergent (no liquid please)
  • granola bars
  • Pads/bladder control pads
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Cereal
  • Jelly
  • reusable cloth bags
  • full sized hygiene products - toothpaste, deodorant, soap
  • Peanut butter crackers
  • 1 lb pkgs. of yellow rice
  • canned tuna
  • 1 lb bags of white rice
  • 16 oz bottles of water for unhoused
  • Toilet paper
  • Tuna packets
  • Peanut Butter Crackers

May 2025 Most Needed Items:

  • Canned Fruit
  • Toilet paper
  • Jiffy
  • White Rice
  • Yellow rice
  • Collard Greens
  • Canned Veggies (Mixed Veggies, Carrots, Peas.)
  • Canned Chilli
  • Canned Beef Stew
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Chicken
  • Peanut Butter
  • Cooking Oil
  • Tide Pods
  • Reusable Bags/Large Paper Bags/Shopping Bags
  • Canned Soup
  • Dry Beans
  • Canned Beans (Pinto, Kidney, Garbanzo, Northern, Navy. etc.)
A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF YOUR DONATION REACHES PEOPLE

At DEAM, we strive to help qualified clients move from a place of need to one of independence.

Eighty-five percent of every dollar donated to DEAM goes to serving clients. The remaining 15% covers operating expenses. You can be assured that any monies donated to our ministry are used efficiently and effectively to benefit those in need.

Volunteers are the Backbone of All We Do.

We want to hear from you about your desire to serve others.

learn more about being a volunteerread our stories

"This will be a few words from a DEAM volunteer about the impact and positive influence they have experienced since volunteering with DEAM. Should only be a sentence or two that will hopefully inspire others to help. Example 1

Testimonial Quote Author Name or Volunteer Position

This will be a few words from a DEAM volunteer about the impact and positive influence they have experienced since volunteering with DEAM. Should only be a sentence or two that will hopefully inspire others to help. Example 2

Testimonial Quote Author Name or Volunteer Position

This will be a few words from a DEAM volunteer about the impact and positive influence they have experienced since volunteering with DEAM. Should only be a sentence or two that will hopefully inspire others to help. Example 3

Testimonial Quote Author Name or Volunteer Position