On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, Attorney General Sam Olens was joined at the state Capitol by Young Lawyers Division (YLD) President Jack Long, Georgia Food Bank Association Executive Director Danah Craft and representatives from Georgia’s eight regional food banks to launch the 5^th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, a statewide food drive competition among Georgia lawyers. The 2016 competition will take place April 18, 2016 – April 29, 2016.

The Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is a partnership between the Georgia Attorney General, the YLD and the Georgia Food Bank Association. Lawyers statewide are challenged to compete outside the courtroom to raise food and funds for Georgia’s eight regional food banks, which serve 156,500 unique clients in Georgia on a weekly basis. All of the food and funds collected are donated to the regional food bank that serves each competitor’s community. 

“I am excited to launch the 5^th Annual Legal Food Frenzy today,” said Olens. “It has been an honor to join forces with the Young Lawyers Division and the Georgia Food Bank Association to fight hunger in Georgia. Over the past four years, the generosity of Georgia lawyers and legal professionals has made a difference in the lives of less fortunate Georgians and has made our state a better place. The Legal Food Frenzy represents the best of the legal profession.” 

In its first four years of competition, the Legal Food Frenzy raised the equivalent of more than 3.7 million pounds of food for Georgians in need.

Nearly 60% of Georgia’s public school students are eligible for either a free or reduced lunch each day, but fewer than 15% have access to a lunch program during the summer. The competition is timed to help the food banks go into summer strong and well-stocked to meet the increased demand for food.

“The Young Lawyers Division takes great pride in being the community service arm of the State Bar,” said Long. “Nothing embodies the YLD’s commitment to helping others more than the Legal Food Frenzy and the drive’s mission to provide families with food assistance when they need it the most. The number of children in poverty who lack access to adequate food is astounding. The Legal Food Frenzy presents a wonderful opportunity for the legal community to come together to positively impact the lives of Georgians all across the state.”

“The timing of this competition comes at a critical time for the regional food banks to help them meet the increased demand for food during the summer months when kids are out of school,” said Craft. “We know that the food and funds raised during this competition will make a difference in their communities.”

All attorneys in Georgia, from law firms, to solo-practitioners, to public sector offices are encouraged to participate. Donations of both food and funds are accepted. Every $1 donated can return $8 or more in food to the community because food banks are able to leverage bulk buying power and donated food channels.

The office that raises the most food and funds statewide will be awarded the Attorney General’s Cup. Awards will also be given to the winners of several different categories.

There is a separate competition for Georgia law schools, which will take place March 28 – April 8, 2016.

The Legal Food Frenzy is spearheaded by a team of young lawyers who oversee an extensive network of city representative across the state who promote the effort locally. The 2016 co-chairs are Lisa Robinson, Justin Oliverio, Justin Purvis, and Daniel Burroughs.

Additional details and registration instructions can be found at the www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org.