And while defending champions Grayson put up a valiant effort, it was Snellville which won the event the second year of the competition.
Grayson collected 8,623 food items to benefit the area’s needy, besting Snellville by nearly 2,000 items, but Snellville raised $15,187 in donations, beating Grayson’s $1,970. That ultimately put Snellville over the top.
“It feels much better than last year,” said Councilman Dave Emanuel, who started Give Hunger the Boot with his wife Kathy. “But we’re mostly glad it benefits the Co-op which is the reason for the competition.”
This year’s event raised 50 percent more in food and monetary donations, which Emanuel said showed residents of both cities were more involved this time around.
In December, residents of Grayson and Snellville were asked to donate food items and money at each cities’ collection points. For more than a month volunteers transported food to the Co-op. School children brought cans from home, while others bought items to be given at drop off points.
“It takes a whole community to do this,” said Laura Drake, the Co-op’s director. “It’s a blessing for the leadership of these cities to admit we have hungry people. It’s not all wine and roses.”
While to competition is over, the need for food for the area’s needy is not.
For information on how to donate to the Co-op, visit www.segwinnettcoop.org.
