Attorney General Chris Carr announced that law firms and legal organizations across Georgia raised a record breaking 400,325 dollars and 18,809 pounds of food during the 7th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This is the equivalent of 1.61 million meals for Georgia’s food banks and a 21.3 percent increase from last year.

“Our legal community has decided that we cannot sit idly by and allow any child in Georgia to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Because of the dedication and passion of lawyers across our entire state for the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy competition, approximately 1.61 million meals will be delivered to those in need this summer. I want to thank each and every individual who helped lead and contribute to these record-breaking efforts. You’ve truly made a positive impact on the lives of your neighbors.”

A total of 235 law firms and legal organizations, representing more than 17,000 members of the legal community, competed for the two grand prizes: the Attorney General’s Cup awarded to the team with the most points per person and the Bar President’s Award given to the team with the most overall points. Every 1 dollar raised is 4 points and every 1 pound of food is 1 point with various bonus point opportunities.

"The Legal Food Frenzy results this year are incredible and show how truly committed Georgia's lawyers are to ending hunger," said State Bar of Georgia President, Brian D. “Buck” Rogers. "Thank you to all members of the legal community who joined us this year, and thank you especially to the young lawyers who helped lead these important efforts to support Georgia's food banks and those they serve."

Reclaiming his title after last year’s hiatus, Joe S. Habachy, PC, Attorney at Law of Atlanta, won the Attorney General’s Cup raising $23,260 and earning 58,337 points per person. The Bar President’s award winner was Coleman Talley LLP of Valdosta for the second year in a row having raised $31,986 and earning 160,305 total points, the most in the competition’s history. A full list of winners and regional highlights can be found below.

During the final days of the competition, Attorney General Carr issued a challenge to individuals and firms to donate the equivalent of one billable hour during the competition by saying, “As the phrase goes, time is money… What better way to dedicate our time than to fighting hunger?” Many responded to his call, with over 120 individuals and companies personally donating 500 dollars or more. Those major donors are listed as Legal Food Frenzy VIP’s here.

“The energy and commitment of the legal community was astounding this year,” said Executive Director of the Georgia Food Bank Association Danah Craft. “People don’t realize that for many kids, the end of school year isn’t a happy occasion. Over 60 percent of Georgia’s children rely on free and reduced lunch at school, but when school is done so are those meals. The 1.61 million meals that Georgia’s legal community raised will be critical in ensuring these kids have proper nutrition all year-round. Thank you to the Attorney General’s Office, the State Bar, the YLD and every single person that made this year a resounding success.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy has raised the equivalent of 7.2 million meals for Georgia’s food banks.