FDHA Grant Expands NLCA’s Fight Against Food Insecurity in DeKalb
In December 2025, New Life Community Alliance (NLCA) received a grant from The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (FDHA) to help address food insecurity in DeKalb County.
Operating since 1941, The FDHA works to ensure that all residents of Fulton and DeKalb counties have fair and equitable access to quality healthcare. As part of that mission, The FDHA launched the Fulton/DeKalb Food Security Collaborative: a network of organizations committed to tackling food insecurity across both counties.
Since the Collaborative began, NLCA has been an active partner, providing critical resources and health education to neighbors facing hunger.
NLCA’s Proven Track Record of Service
The FDHA awarded short-term grants to six organizations with a strong history of serving food-insecure residents, including NLCA.
“At The FDHA, we understand that access to quality, healthy, and affordable food directly impacts health outcomes,” said Chief Operating Officer Christine Wiggins. “It is for this reason that we initiated a collaborative working group with partners like New Life Community Alliance, that not only have proven track records of addressing community needs, but also the capacity to serve and respond to those needs in real time.”
Six Weeks. Significant Impact.
These grants were distributed in mid-December and utilized through January 31, 2026. In just six weeks, NLCA’s impact was remarkable:
- 3,728 individuals served, including 1,426 seniors and 1,477 children
- 1,432 meals provided through the Warming Station (561 meals) and Saturday hot meal distribution (871 meals)
- 60,005 pounds of food distributed through Atlanta Community Food Bank food boxes
- 58 referrals to the Warming Station, with 24 successful follow-ups
Additionally, NLCA offered two Health and Education workshops. On January 20 – 21, NLCA hosted a Kidney Connection workshop titled Shopping Smart on a Budget. They also partnered with the Health Department to provide a Low-Sodium Education session, attended by 35 participants.
Faith Danzey, NLCA’s Director of Outreach Services, shares, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with The FDHA on this food security grant, which allowed us to serve our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care.”
Partnerships That Multiply Impact
The FDHA grant did more than fund services. It also strengthened collaboration, namely in NLCA’s Warming Station.
DeKalb Public Health partners with NLCA’s Warming Station twice a month, providing basic wellness checks, health education, school immunization guidance, and connections to essential public health resources. On first and third Wednesdays, NLCA’s vision of on-site healthcare becomes reality.
Also, in honor of MLK Day, Ethan, a member of New Life Church’s Band, brought his daughters to serve at the Warming Station. Together, they provided 40 hand warmers, socks, and gloves to neighbors in need.
Together, The FDHA grant and these partnerships reinforce NLCA’s commitment to supporting individuals facing both food insecurity and housing instability, meeting urgent needs today while building pathways toward long-term stability.
