Atlanta, GA – October 20, 2023 – In the past six months, demand for food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) has jumped by nearly 40%*, creating more urgency than ever for donations from the private sector and organizations such as the Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA), who for 36 years has hosted a Food-A-Thon dedicated to this urgent need. This year, ECI Group (ECI), its employees, and their supporters led a robust response to the AAA call for action. Team members filled ACFB food barrels, sponsored the August “Can Can Ball” fundraiser, packaged more than 27,000 pounds of food with 28 team members at ECI’s volunteer day with the ACFB, and raised more than $33,000 through employee and matching donations for the AAA Food-A-Thon donation to the Food Bank. The ACFB estimates that every $1 donated can enable them to provide enough food for up to 3 meals, making the ECI impact close to 100,000 meals.
“One in twelve Georgians in the Atlanta MSA experience food insecurity*,” noted Tim Johnson, Senior Vice President of Property Management Services, “We are incredibly proud that our team members reflect the company’s decades-long commitment to building community and enriching lives in our region and leaped to engage in the Atlanta Apartment Association initiative this year. We are privileged to work alongside the Atlanta Apartment Association in the Food-A-Thon and associated events to infuse the Food Bank with additional supplies and cash resources.”
“ECI’s commitment to community couldn’t be demonstrated more clearly than what was shown by our team’s genuine engagement and participation in the Atlanta Apartment Association Food-A-Thon this year,” said ECI Chief Administrative Officer, Suzy Alford. “We know that this initiative is life-changing for many people in our community and are grateful for this chance to play a supportive role in their lives.”
On September 29th, ECI team members joined the AAA and other property owners and managers from around the region for the 2023 Food-A-Thon Parade at ACFB, celebrating the efforts of the apartment community. The event included a donation drop-off and a presentation of the drive’s cash donation. Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson acted as this year’s grand marshal for the parade.
The Food-A-Thon is an annual initiative and community service project hosted by the Atlanta Apartment Association and its membership. Each year AAA’s Food-A-Thon donates millions of meals to help feed Georgia’s hungry. 100% of charitable donations collected through the Food-A-Thon go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank to help thousands of Georgians in need. Throughout its 30+ year partnership with ACFB, AAA has donated more than 130 million meals to Georgia families in need.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works to end hunger with the food, people, and big ideas needed to ensure our neighbors have the nourishment to lead healthy and productive lives. Far too many people in our own community experience hunger every day, including children, seniors, and working families. Through more than 700 community-based, nonprofit partners in 29 counties, we help more than 525,000 people get healthy food every year. Our goal is that all hungry people across metro Atlanta and north Georgia will have access to the nutritious meals they need when they need them. It takes the power of our whole community to make that possible. In 2023, the Atlanta Community Food Bank distributed its one billionth meal. Join us at ACFB.org.