Atticus lost the case, yet the black community has reacted with generosity, filling his kitchen with food. Why did people drop off so much food.

This was the only way the black community knew how to express their gratitude for Atticus defending tom Robinson. Atticus wakes up to see the kitchen "loaded with enough food to bury the family." Atticus knows that these people are the least able to afford to give food away. Despite the depression, these folks are black and have enough trouble feeding their own families. Atticus is truly touched but he would rather those families have food than give it to him.