Firms giving back: GSCPA donates over 774K meals via annual 'Food Fight'

The Georgia Society of CPAs and the Georgia Food Bank Association announced the results of the sixth annual Georgia Accounting Food Fight, which was held Aug. 12–23, 2019.

The two-week, friendly competition saw over 70 accounting firms and industry accounting departments representing over 6,000 staff members donate both food and funds to nine Georgia food banks.

The Food Fight ultimately raised $192,692 and 3,314 pounds of food this year; equivalent to 774,083 meals.

The GFBA also presented awards in several categories, including Food Fight Hero, Hunger Champion, Industry, Sole Proprietor, Big Four, Large Firm, Medium Firm, and Small Firm categories.

“The Georgia Accounting Food Fight is a rallying point for our firm during the summer," stated Todd McMullen, of Moore Colson CPAs and Advisor. "The two-week Food Fight has become part of our culture. You can tell from our participation that our team really gets behind the cause of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Being recognized as a Food Fight winner is a tribute to our team.”

For the full list of winners and more info, head to the GSCPA's site here.

Big Four firm EY held its annual Connect Day on Oct. 4, 2019.

The annual event sees EY employees across the Americas participate in volunteer activities that support local nonprofit organizations and "build a better working world." Volunteers shared their experiences on social media channels using the hashtag "#EYConnectDay."

Pensacola, Florida-based firm Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund contributed 1,944 additional community service hours across the state this year in honor of the firm's 75th anniversary.

“Our team enthusiastically embraced our 75th anniversary celebration challenge to complete an extra 1,944 hours of community service this year, and we blew past that goal by mid-September," stated Saltmarsh president Lee Bell. "With more than three months left in the year, and several service projects still to complete, our team may well surpass 2,000 additional hours. The team is already looking forward to next year’s community service goal.”

The firm most recently hosted school supply drive to benefit the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation. Saltmarsh team members, clients and local provided 80 children across the state with the necessary school supplies.

In June, the Tampa office spent a day at children’s advocacy center Gulf Coast Kid’s House, where they cleaned therapy rooms, installed an organization system and assisted staff with an office move. The Tampa office also spent a day in June helping to build a home for a local family with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County.

“We are in awe of the overall generosity shown in the communities in which we serve, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to so many causes as we celebrate our 75th anniversary,” added Bell. “As we look ahead to the remainder of the year and into next year, we are happy to use our celebration as a platform to bring greater awareness to the needs and organizations doing great work in our communities.”