Black 14 Philanthropy and LDS Church Donate 36,000 Pounds of Food to Atlanta Food Bank
The Black 14 Philanthropy, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the College Football Hall of Fame donated 36,000 pounds of food to the Atlanta Community Food Bank on April 7, 2026. The donation brings the Black 14's total to 1.75 million pounds since 2020. Atlanta's food bank is now serving 70 percent more people than four years ago due to inflation.
Three organizations came together in Atlanta on April 7, 2026, to donate 36,000 pounds of food to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a partnership that has now delivered 1.75 million pounds of food across the country since 2020.
The Black 14 Philanthropy, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the College Football Hall of Fame organized the donation. Nonperishable items included applesauce, beans, macaroni, and rice.
Mel Hamilton and Tony McGee represented the Black 14 at the event. Hamilton said the group's mission is to help communities in need, especially as inflation has pushed more families to seek food assistance.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works with 700 partner agencies serving 29 counties. The organization is now helping 70 percent more people than it was four years ago, a direct result of rising food costs.
This was the second time these three organizations have partnered for a donation to the Atlanta food bank. They previously donated 40,000 pounds in February 2024.
The Black 14 refers to 14 Black football players dismissed from the University of Wyoming's 1969 team for planning a peaceful protest against a Church of Jesus Christ policy that barred Black men from priesthood ordination. That policy was changed in 1978. The surviving members formed the Black 14 Philanthropy in 2019 after reconciling with the University of Wyoming, BYU, and the Church.
The Church of Jesus Christ has partnered with the Black 14 on food donations since 2020. Church leaders said the collaboration reflects shared values around service and community care.
The Deseret News reported on the donation on April 9, 2026.
