Georgia’s attorney general and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia kicked off the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy on April 18.
This marks the 11th year for the event that benefits regional food banks across the state, including the Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta.
Through April 29, more than 14,000 members of the legal community will square off to see who can raise the most money through online fundraising. Money raised will go to the regional food bank serving the area around the more than 200 law firms and legal organizations.
“When we read statistics that one in six children in Georgia is at risk for hunger, we recognize the ever-increasing need for the annual Legal Food Frenzy,” said Attorney General Chris Carr in a news release. “This year, I’m challenging Georgia’s lawyers to donate the equivalent of one billable hour to help us meet our goal of raising a record $1 million for our local food banks, families and children in need.”
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The annual event is timed to stock up the food banks prior to the increased need going into summer when children are eating more meals at home.
“We absolutely need people’s help. I mean, especially since going through the pandemic, and now with the rising food costs, and gas prices, even home purchases are higher, and we’re seeing a lot more families in need,” said Melissa Brown, major gift officer at Golden Harvest. “I was looking at our numbers at the soup kitchen. And in some cases, you know, we have 100 more people than what we were typically serving. And so, we’re seeing a lot greater need.”
For the drive’s first eight years, participating offices collected non-perishable food supplies at their businesses. The onset of COVID-19 forced the event to move to the online format.
“Georgia’s regional food banks have been working tirelessly to help children, families, and seniors who are working to stay afloat while pandemic aid ends and inflation continues to rise,” said Danah Craft, executive director of the Georgia Food Bank Association. “The increased need for food assistance isn’t decreasing.”
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Brown said the local goal is to raise $50,000 that the food bank can triple through its buying power.
“For every dollar, we can provide a little over three meals to the hungry. So, our buying power is really great, and it helps us get more food out in our community,” she said.
Last year’s event raised a record-breaking $936,883 for Georgia’s regional food banks.
While raising money for the regional food banks, the participants are also competing for bragging rights as the most successful team in its individual category, including solo practitioners, small, medium and large law offices and judicial teams.
“While we all know that lawyers love a friendly competition, it truly brings me great joy to see new firms – large and small – signing up to participate, some for the very first time,” said Elissa Haynes, president of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia. “Together, I am confident we can build upon last year’s success and have another record-breaking year.”
Among the competitors this year are Augusta Judicial Circuit Judge Amanda Heath and Richmond County Solicitor-General Omeeka Loggins. Both women are also members of the board of directors for Golden Harvest.
Donations can be made at: https://virtualdrive.goldenharvest.org/campaign/11th-annual-legal-food-frenzy/c400733
More information on the event, and the list of local competitors, is available at: https://galegalfoodfrenzy.org/
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
