In June, just two weeks after Chatham County public schools let out, technology companies in Savannah and across the state participated in the 3rd annual Bytes for Bites — a two-week fund and food drive competition benefitting Georgia food banks.

The competition, sponsored by the Georgia Food Bank Association in partnership with the Technology Association of Georgia, is specifically timed for the beginning of summer to help children in food-insecure homes. With more than 1 in every 4 Georgia kids at risk for hunger, this problem hits hardest when children no longer have access to free or reduced cost school meals.

So when America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia reached out to Infinity, Inc. to have Coastal Georgia compete for the first time, Infinity was all in to lead the charge. They challenged more than a dozen other IT companies and departments in the area, two of which accepted. Then the fun began.

From social media call-outs and videos, to employee donations and requests to partners for support, Chatham County’s inaugural involvement was engaging and passionate. Sarah Jackson, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Georgia Food Bank Association, raved about the “energy and advocacy” of Infinity efforts and is already planning enhancements for next year’s competition.

On Friday, the Georgia Food Bank Association reported nearly $70,000 raised and over 9,000 pounds of food collected in this year’s statewide competition. That’s almost the same amount of money but more than twice as much food as last year. So to everyone in Coastal Georgia who supported this worthy cause and helped feed the hungry right here in our community, Thank You!

Congratulations to all the Bytes for Bites winners this year, and remember that America’s Second Harvest willingly accepts volunteers and donations all year long.