Think Globally, Serve Locally: World Affairs Council Volunteers Support the Atlanta Community Food Bank
Published: August 19, 2026
On Aug. 8, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta put its commitment to global citizenship into action locally as nine volunteers joined the Atlanta Community Food Bank for a morning of service, helping provide 7,503 meals for neighbors in need across metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
Hosted by the Council's Young Leaders Executive Board, the volunteer event brought together globally minded professionals, students, and community members who share a commitment to creating positive change. While the Council is best known for fostering global awareness and international dialogue, this event demonstrated how global citizenship can also take shape close to home.
Volunteers spent the morning in the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Hunger Action Center, where they sorted, inspected, and packed food that will be distributed to individuals and families throughout metro Atlanta and North Georgia. The hands-on experience offered participants a firsthand look at the scale of food insecurity in our region and the critical role the Food Bank plays in addressing it.
The volunteer initiative was spearheaded by Maranie Brown, vice president of data product delivery at BlackRock, member of the Council's Young Leaders Executive Board, and graduate of the 2025 Global Leadership Fellows cohort. Through Brown's leadership, the event brought together Council members, young professionals, students, and community supporters for a morning of meaningful service and connection. The program serves as an example of how the Council's emerging leaders are translating global engagement into local impact.
The results of the morning's efforts were remarkable. Together, nine volunteers helped process 9,003 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately 7,503 meals for neighbors in need across the region. These numbers represent more than statistics. They represent families facing difficult circumstances, children who will have access to nutritious meals, and communities that are stronger because people chose to serve.
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is grateful to the Atlanta Community Food Bank for hosting our group and for its ongoing work to fight hunger across Georgia. We also extend our sincere thanks to Maranie Brown, whose leadership made the event possible, and to each volunteer who dedicated their Saturday morning to supporting our community. Together, they demonstrated the power of service, community engagement, and collective action.
Events like this remind us that global citizenship begins close to home. By creating opportunities that connect international understanding with local engagement, the Council continues to bring its mission to life both globally and here in Atlanta.
Interested in future service opportunities, leadership programs, and global affairs events? Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and become part of a community committed to understanding the world and making a difference within it. Become a member today.
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