Reasons Why TMSK Is Launching in ATL

When we first shared the 5 Reasons Why TMSK is Coming to ATL, the response made it clear: people care deeply about the challenges our neighbors are facing. But the truth is, those five reasons were just the beginning. The needs in Atlanta are deep, interconnected, and urgent. Today, we want to share more about why we feel called to bring our mission here — and why we believe Atlanta is a place where TMSK can make a lasting impact.

When we think of Atlanta, many of us picture a city full of energy — music, art, innovation, and opportunity. And that’s true. But beneath the skyline and the bustle, there’s another side of Atlanta that too often goes unseen: neighbors who are hungry, families struggling to stay housed, and people who feel invisible in a city full of life.

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Loneliness: More Than Empty Seats

Atlanta was recently ranked the 4th loneliest city in America. Nearly half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, and every year, over 162,000 American deaths are linked to it — more than deaths from lung cancer and stroke combined.

But loneliness doesn’t show up as a headline; it shows up as the single mom eating dinner alone in her car, or the senior sitting in silence in a crowded apartment complex. At TMSK, we believe a shared meal can be a powerful antidote. At our tables, you don’t have to perform, explain, or prove yourself. You just sit, eat, and know you’re not alone.

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Hunger in the Neighborhoods We Call Home

In South Fulton and South Dekalb, more than 25% of residents are food insecure. That means one in four households isn’t sure where their next meal will come from. And while federal aid like SNAP exists, 62% of food-insecure households don’t qualify — leaving over 90,000 Atlantans without this support.

The West End and Southside are particularly hard-hit, with food deserts where dollar stores and fast-food chains far outnumber grocery stores. In 2023, less than half of those convenience stores offered fresh produce. Parents are left choosing between meals that fill but don’t nourish, or nothing at all.

At TMSK, we want to make the choice simpler: you can always sit down for a healthy meal with us, whether you have dollars in your pocket or none at all.

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Two Atlantas, One Table

Atlanta and 15 of its surrounding cities are ranked among the Top 50 Richest Cities in Georgia. Yet the same streets are filled with neighbors struggling to afford food and shelter. The wealth gap is staggering: the median white household income is $238,000, while the median Black household income is just $5,000.

We can’t solve that overnight. But we can start by building bridges. At our tables, people from every background will sit side by side. The lines that divide outside don’t have to exist inside.

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Children Deserve a Fair Start

Children are disproportionately affected by hunger. In Fulton County, 18.8% of children are food insecure, which is 22,350 more children than just a year before.

Hunger doesn’t just shape bodies — it shapes futures. In Atlanta Public Schools, graduation rates for Black and Latino students hover around 57% and 53%, compared to 84% and 94% for their white and Asian peers. Hunger and lack of resources are part of what fuels that divide.

At TMSK, we want every child who walks through our doors to know: here, you’ll be fed, you’ll be cared for, and you matter. Because no dream should be cut short by an empty plate.

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Housing and Hunger Go Hand in Hand

It’s easy to assume food insecurity is mostly about homelessness, but that’s not the case. Nationally, only 1.6% of food-insecure people are unhoused. Families with jobs, college students, and even full-time workers are struggling.

In Atlanta, rising rent and gentrification are pushing families out of their neighborhoods. The city now ranks as the 30th most expensive rental market in the country, leaving many working households teetering between paying rent and buying groceries.

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More Than a Meal: A Place to Belong

So many food services are quick transactions — a bag of groceries, a plate handed across a counter. Needed, yes, but often impersonal. We want to do more. We want people to linger, to share stories, to laugh, to feel at home. Meals at TMSK aren’t just about calories. They’re about community.

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Why Pay-What-You-Can Works

Across the U.S., pay-what-you-can cafés have shown us that community-based models can thrive. They remove barriers, foster dignity, and invite everyone to participate — whether through giving, receiving, or both. At TMSK, we’ll offer nutritious, intentionally crafted meals and community tables that invite connection.

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Filling the Gaps Together

Despite the many nonprofits already doing good work in Atlanta, gaps remain. Most food programs close by early afternoon, leaving evenings and weekends underserved. Few focus on fresh, prepared meals, and even fewer address the emotional side of hunger. TMSK is stepping in to fill those gaps — offering evening meals, healthy food, and a place to belong.

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Why We’re Here

There’s More Soup Kitchens isn’t just about food. It’s about love, dignity, and belonging. It’s about reminding people that they are not forgotten, that their story matters, and that neighbors really can become family. At the center of our work is the love of Jesus — a love that breaks down barriers, restores dignity, and invites everyone to the table. Atlanta is a city of big dreams — and we believe one of the greatest dreams is a community where all are welcomed and loved, just as Christ welcomes us.

That’s why we’re here. And we can’t wait to welcome you :).

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Ways to Partner With Us

GIVE FINANCIALLY –Our food truck is estimated to be $300,000. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Encourage others to give as well by sharing our QR code/ Food Truck Fundraiser link.

SPREAD THE WORD– Follow us on social media @theresmoresoupkitchens. Like, Comment, and Share our content to help us build momentum before reaching the streets of Atlanta.