Atlanta (January 13, 2021) – The Georgia Chapter of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, awarded the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) with a grant of more than $100,000 at year-end. The $102,100 grant is in addition to an earlier $20,000 grant from the IICF Georgia Chapter awarded in June. Combined, the grants will provide nearly 500,000 nutritious meals for Atlanta-area residents in need.
“During a year that presented so many challenges, the IICF Georgia Chapter was eager to support these crucial efforts to combat food insecurity by the Atlanta Community Food Bank,” said Amie Meschi, IICF Georgia Chapter Board of Directors Chair and EVP and Property Practice Leader for Peachtree Special Risk Brokers. “We are grateful for the much-needed support ACFB provides to those in need throughout the Greater Atlanta region, as well as for the enduring commitment and generous spirit of the Georgia insurance community.”
These grant dollars were raised by the IICF Georgia Chapter as part of the COVID-19 Crisis: IICF Children’s Relief Fund, which was launched early in the pandemic to raise funds to help alleviate food insecurity and educational disruption in underserved communities. To date, the IICF Children’s Relief Fund has raised $1.3 million to provide more than 2.2 million meals to children and families in need across the US and UK.
According to ACFB, one in seven people in Greater Atlanta suffer from food insecurity. In 2020, ACFB experienced a 69 percent increase in weekly food distribution over 2019 due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation's Georgia Chapter during this time of uncertainty," said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of ACFB. "Food insecurity is at an all-time high, and this donation will provide over 488,000 meals to hungry families, seniors, children and more, right here in Georgia.”
IICF Georgia has been a strong part of the IICF organization and the IICF Southeast Division, granting a total of $750,000 to nonprofits in Georgia since its inception in 2014. Working with a number of regional nonprofits focused on addressing rising food insecurity driven by the pandemic, IICF Georgia committed to support seven additional Georgia nonprofit organizations in 2020 with approximately $30,000 in total grants. The chapter, comprising representatives of leading insurance companies and related businesses on its Board of Directors, will continue efforts to combat food insecurity with a fill-the-truck food drive during the first quarter of 2021.
To learn more about the IICF Georgia Chapter, please contact IICF Board Member Tony Roehl.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service, and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than 25 years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
About the Atlanta Community Food Bank
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 nonprofit partners, we help more than 864,000 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.