GSCPA funds over 1.4M meals for Georgia food banks

The Georgia Society of CPAs and Feeding Georgia's ninth annual Georgia Accounting Food Fight raised $372,907 this year, which represents over 1.4 million meals. 

Over 70 accounting firms and accounting departments representing over 66,300 members participated in the virtual food fight between August 8 and August 19. Accounting professionals competed to give their earnings back to the community and raised funds for nine food banks across the state. Each year, the suspension of school lunch assistance programs during summertime causes a rush toward Georgia's food banks, and the Accounting Food Fight helps them replenish their reserves.

"Each year of the Georgia Accounting Food Fight, we come together as a profession to serve the communities we live in and show our dedication to the people within them," said Boyd Search, president and CEO of the Georgia Society of CPAs, in a statement. "We are incredibly proud of the goal-shattering numbers our members made possible this year. CPAs raised a record-breaking total of $372,907, with a massive push bringing in $80,536 in the closing 24 hours."

With the rise of inflation and the end of pandemic relief assistance programs, Georgia's food banks have seen a 30% increase in demand, in addition to the summer surge. Since its creation in 2014, the Georgia Accounting Food Fight has raised $1,8 million, which is the equivalent of 7 million meals for local food banks. According to Feeding America, more than 1.1 million people face hunger in Georgia, and 31% are children.

"We cannot expect our children to learn, thrive and become our future innovators on an empty stomach, and we are thrilled that the accounting industry agrees," said Feeding Georgia executive director Danah Craft in a statement. "Their leadership and commitment to our mission have a heavy impact on the families and children served by our food banks." 

This year, Anna Abernathy LLC won the Grand Prize Food Fight Hero for raising $8,000 and earning the most points per employee in Georgia. The Grand Prize Hunger Champion Winner was Nichols, Cauley and Associates, which raised over $60,000 with the most statewide points overall.