For Immediate Release
Date: December 20, 2013

City of Savannah employees today stepped up in a big way to help those in need this holiday season, donating 23,349 canned goods to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia during the 2nd annual Great Savannah Canned Food Drive.

Dozens of City vehicles packed full with cans lined up in front of the Civic Center this afternoon for a news conference attended by City employees, Mayor Edna Jackson and members of City Council.

“I am very proud to be part of a City organization whose employees give so generously when there is a need,” Mayor Edna Jackson said. “A community is judged by how it cares for the least of its citizens. I am here to say the City of Savannah cares.”

At the news conference, City Manager Stephanie Cutter presented the Most Generous Bureau Trophy to the Management Services Bureau, whose 240 employees donated 3,600 cans, or about 15 cans per employee. Management Services, headed by Bureau Chief Sean Brandon, includes the departments of Human Resources, Mobility and Parking Services, Recorder’s Court, Research and Budget, Vehicle Maintenance, Revenue, Purchasing, Research Library and Information Technology.

“I am so grateful to each and every one of you for the generosity you have shown to Savannah,” Cutter said. “I am overwhelmed by this response.”

Following the news conference, the City vehicles caravanned to America’s Second Harvest Food Bank. The 30 pallets will be enough for an estimated 36,981 meals this holiday season.

“This single donation will help us get through these difficult winter months,” said Mary Jane Crouch, Executive Director of America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. “There are 147,000 people who live without food safety in Coastal Georgia, and for these people you have made the holidays so much brighter.”

About America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia serves as a regional food bank, functioning as the food warehouse and distribution center to more than 280 non-profit organizations and churches in our area. Through food relief programs and collaboration with partner agencies, America’s Second Harvest distributed more than 10 million pounds of food last year to people in need in our community – children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness and others whose incomes are insufficient to meet their basic needs. To learn more about the fight against hunger in our community, call (912) 236-6750 or visit www.helpendhunger.org.