DeKalb commissioners on Nov. 10 approved a substitute amendment to an emergency food distribution item that increased the planned distributions and added a new church distribution site while committing $25,000 to MARTA Market.

Administration staff explained the substitute raised distributions from a previous 5,000‑box-per‑site plan to an estimated total of 6,000 boxes per site across six sites for an initial distribution on Nov. 15 and a follow‑up in December. The substitute also added Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church to serve an estimated 1,000 boxes on both dates, bringing total distribution capacity up and adjusting the budget. The substitute included a $25,000 county contribution to MARTA Market programming at Doraville and Kensington stations to sustain year‑round market operations and a 2‑for‑1 SNAP match mechanism referenced by commissioners.

Commissioners discussed geographic distribution across districts, delivery to homebound residents, and the math behind total costs; COO Williams and staff said the overall program budget rose to about $825,000 due to additions since the item was first introduced. Commissioners also requested continued coordination among commissioners’ offices to identify additional sites or funding needs and asked that administration work with faith partners and nonprofit operators to finalize distribution logistics.

The substitute passed by voice/vote machines. Staff said they would continue to refine site allocations and consider delivery options for residents without transportation.