It only took six months for Sustainativity, the Savannah-based 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to direct philanthropic investments in sustainability, to plan, design and finalize its first project - the light retrofitting at Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire. 

Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire had been chosen in January 2014 as the first recipient of Sustainativity’s sustainability endowment to fund and assist implementing a comprehensive lighting replacement program for Second Harvest which will yield savings of $3,000 per year; funds that then will be used to provide added meals to community members.

On July 29^th, 2014 at 10 AM the new, enhanced and energy efficient lights will be turned on during a ceremony, attended by members of the Sustainativity Inc. Board, staff and executives of America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, guests and media.

Roughly light 80 fixtures in the offices and warehouse at Second Harvest were replaced during the process with high efficiency fluorescent and LED fixtures as well as occupancy sensors, to control energy use and subsequent energy savings. 

The retrofit will save Second Harvest over $3,000 annually, allowing them to provide 15,000 more meals to the Savannah community.

The project was helped by a rebate from Georgia Power and donations from the community through a variety of fundraisers.

“Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire and the Savannah Community are the winners with this project by Sustainativity ”, said Mary Jane Crouch, Executive Director at Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire. “Implementing these energy savings will give second Harvest savings for years to come, and will go a long way providing added assistance for families in our community.”