Business & Tech

North Fulton Hospital Beats Verizon Wireless in Food Drive Challenge

Hospital, wireless company donate tons of food, toiletries to North Fulton Community Charities.

A 10-day "Race to Feed the Need" food drive challenge between North Fulton Hospital and Verizon Wireless brought in more than eight tons of food and toiletries for North Fulton Community Charities.

North Fulton Hospital was crowned at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce's Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast the winner of the race with 9,455 pounds of goods, according to a news release from Verizon Wireless.

From May 10 to May 20, the companies held internal employee drives to collect non-perishable food items and toiletries to help the more than 5,000 families in the areas served by North Fulton Community Charities.The collection also yielded more than $13,000 in cash donations for NFCC.

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The people of North Fulton Hospital rise to the occasion when it comes to a challenge, especially one benefiting such a worthy cause, said the hospital's CEO, Debbie Kee.

"Our goal was to exceed last year’s donation from our internal ‘Race to Feed the Need.’ I’m proud to say not only did we do that, but we also won this year’s race with Verizon,” says North Fulton Hospital CEO Debbie Keel.

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The bi-corporate food drive challenge began as an annual internal competition among North Fulton Hospital employees. Last year, North Fulton Hospital raised more than 6,500 pounds of food and nearly $6,150. The two local companies collaborated this year to provide added support for North Fulton Community Charities as well as infuse a bit of outside friendly rivalry into North Fulton Hospital’s existing program.

North Fulton Community Charities is a local nonprofit that provides for basic needs of individuals residing north of the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County–an area that includes the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. The human services agency assists families with such needs as food, financial assistance and clothing during short-term emergencies. In 2010 NFCC assisted more than 5,000 families and gave more than one million dollars in financial assistance.

Summer months often bring in the highest requests for assistance and the fewest donations.

“We see 100 families a day and give out over 9 and a half tons of food a week during the summer,” says Vonda Malbrough, development director for NFCC.

Malbrough explained during the morning event how community partners make it possible for NFCC to continue its work, noting that “food drives like the one North Fulton Hospital and Verizon Wireless just completed make it possible for us to continue helping families in the area. Their efforts help ensure the food bank is full, diapers and other baby supplies are available, and there are funds available to help community members pay their bills and stay in their homes.”

Similar to last year, North Fulton Hospital employees once again brought in more than $6,100 in monetary donations. Verizon raised nearly $7,000 in corporate and employee donations.

“Verizon continuously supports programs and causes that positively impact the development of the areas we serve and the lives of the people in them. Partnering with North Fulton Hospital to help NFCC presented a wonderful opportunity. Plus, who doesn’t love some friendly competition in the interest of a great cause?” said Jeff Mango, president, Georgia/Alabama Region for Verizon Wireless.


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