A viral moment by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will help feed hungry mouths thanks to her latest initiative.

The “More than Mac” campaign, in conjunction with Kroger, raised more than $37,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, city officials announced in a news release Monday.

Bottoms created the campaign in an effort to address hunger issues in Atlanta. The campaign idea came after her viral macaroni and cheese dish looked less than appetizing to social media critics.

"We are grateful for the compassion shown during this campaign – from both our corporate and nonprofit partners and the shoppers who stepped up to this challenge and raised awareness and funds to combat hunger in our city," Bottoms said in the release.

RELATED| Atlanta Mayor Bottoms turns viral moment into 'More than Mac' campaign

MORE| Atlanta Mayor Bottoms' mac and cheese becomes the talk of Twitter

Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 16, Kroger customers rounded up their purchases to the nearest dollar or could donate an amount of their choosing to the campaign.

Each $1 raised provided the food bank with four meals. The donations created 148,000 meals through the campaign.

“Issues of inequity, such as food insecurity in our communities, must be met with thoughtful action, and we remain committed to finding innovative ways to assist our most vulnerable residents,” Bottoms said.

In other news:

About the Author

Keep Reading

The Miller family's boat went up in flames on the Fourth of July on Lake Nottely in northeast Georgia. (Courtesy of Art Miller)

Credit: Contributed

Featured

Scott Jackson (right), business service consultant for WorkSource Fulton, helps job seekers with their applications in a mobile career center at a job fair hosted by Goodwill Career Center in Atlanta. (Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC)

Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC