Bank of North Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank, raised $67,035 in its annual Feed the Hungry Food Box campaign in support of Action Ministries’ hunger relief programs. The donations will provide around 13,400 boxes of food — more than 268,000 meals — for families in Bank of North Georgia’s service area.
 
For the fourth consecutive year, customers and friends visited any of Bank of North Georgia’s 40 branches to donate $5 for a food box to feed a family of four for up to five days. This year’s total set a  new record for Bank of North Georgia’s Feed the Hungry Box campaign, exceeding  last year’s results of $62,415.
 
At all Bank of North Georgia branches, associates helped customers learn about the program and how each $5 donation allows Action Ministries to pack a food box containing staples and nonperishables that provide several days’ worth of meals for hungry Georgians.
 
“All of us at Bank of North Georgia are moved by the generosity and compassion of the team members, customers, and communities who responded once again to help provide more than 268,000 meals for hungry families!” said Rob Garcia, president and chief executive officer, Bank of North Georgia. “We are very proud to support Action Ministries’ vital work in our state.”
 
“With its outstanding support, Bank of North Georgia continues to expand its reach into every community in north Georgia by allowing customers to be part of real solutions to help lead people out of poverty in their own communities. Action Ministries, with the support of Bank of North Georgia and its customers and other partners, has begun to move the needle in Georgia to reduce poverty around the state.  Prior to 2015, Georgia had the third highest poverty rate in the country. Today, that ranking has moved down to 9th in the nation, and the hunger insecurity rate has dropped to 15th. However, the need for our services continues,” said John R. Moeller, Jr., president & CEO of Action Ministries. “By meeting the basic needs of hunger relief, housing and education, Action Ministries removes barriers that prevent thousands of Georgians from breaking the cycle of poverty and realizing their potential.”