Some statistics are hard to swallow. One of the toughest comes from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank: More than 13,000 Hamilton County children are at risk of food insecurity in 2024, data the nonprofit has received shows.
Throughout each school year, local nonprofits such as the Food Bank and ministries such as East Brainerd Church of Christ’s Snack Packs program strive to provide Hamilton County students who are facing food insecurity with nourishing fare.
But what happens when classes are over for the summer and students lose access to their school meals and snack packs?
Here again, the Food Bank fills the gap by providing solutions to child hunger during the summer months, which has increased an average of 44% annually since the COVID-19 pandemic.
To assist the Food Bank with its efforts to fight child hunger this summer, the Chattanooga Bar Association will host the Legal Food Frenzy fundraiser in May.
Participants will create fundraising teams that will compete against each other. Monetary donations can be made offline via cash, check or ACH transfer, or online through the team’s fundraising page. (To register a team, scan the QR code printed with this article.
Teams will net 10 points for every dollar raised and five points for every pound of food donated. (Food drives will be optional.) The team with the most points at the end of the fundraiser will win the frenzy.
Team will compete in one of four categories: Large firms, mid-size firms, small firms and solo practitioners.
In addition, the Food Bank and the CBA will distribute VIP awards to individuals who make significant monetary donations, including $500-$1,499 (VIP Bronze); $1,500-$2,499 (VIP Silver) and $2,500 or more (VIP Gold).
The Food Bank and CBA will announce the winners during the Closing Arguments reception held at the Food Bank Thursday, June 13. The 7th Street Band will perform at the event.
CBA Executive Director Lynda Hood is chairing the event and encouraging every member of the bar to participate, regardless of the size of the donation they’re able to make.
“Every summer, the Food Bank provides hunger solutions to over 13,000 children who do not have access to school meals,” Hood says. “We’re committed to helping these children in our community by working collaboratively, knowing we’re making an impact in our backyard.”
Contact Hood at [email protected] or Food Bank chief development oofficer Summer Simmons at [email protected] for more information about the Legal Food Frenzy. Read more about how the Food Bank combats local food insecurity at chattfoodbank.org.