According to the Georgia Food Bank Association, unemployment and underemployment are driving the increase in demand for food, with 27 percent of peopled served by partner agencies reporting they are seeking help for the first time in their lives. Today, approximately 18 percent of Georgians - or 1.7 million - are struggling with hunger, well above the national average.

To address the issue and bring relief, employees of Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) throughout Georgia, Georgia EMC, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp., Georgia System Operations Corp., and Gresco Utility Supply, Inc., donated their time and energy October 1-8 for the second statewide "Electric Cooperative Week of Volunteerism" to benefit cities, counties and towns across Georgia.

"We were thrilled with the total number of employees who participated in community efforts across the state this year," says Bill Verner, vice president of external affairs with Georgia EMC.

Some participated in group food drive projects or individual projects, and their sweat equity allowed for the ultimate delivery of thousands of pounds of food to those in need across Georgia.

"In addition to the obvious benefits to people served by these organizations, our employees reap intangible benefits as well," says Verner. "They come away with a great sense of pride, purpose and satisfaction by helping others."

The EMCs, OPC, GTC, GSOC and Gresco combined to support the Georgia Food Bank Network and related service projects such as holding food drives in communities throughout Georgia and sorting perishable goods for local food banks and pantries.

The donated food will go to either a local food pantry or one of the regional food banks that are part of the Georgia Food Bank Network whose mission is to help provide food security to low-income and needy children, seniors and working families in Georgia.

One group of volunteers gathered with local partners at the Atlanta Community Food Bank where they sorted 6,352 pounds of food which will eventually provide 4,200 meals to those in need.

In addition to volunteer activities associated with relieving hunger, other service efforts involved educating school children on electrical safety, providing clothing and toys to needy children, and caring for the environment.

Another group joined forces with several other partner organizations at Druid Hills Middle School to beautify the school's grounds and clean up the banks and surrounding areas of Burnt Fork Creek which runs behind the school. The project supported the Hands on Atlanta/Rivers Alive waterway cleanup initiative.

During the week, EMCs cast a wide net and enlisted hundreds of volunteers from Central Georgia EMC, Jackson; Georgia EMC, Georgia Transmission Corp., Oglethorpe Power Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp., Tucker; Flint Energies, Reynolds; Gresco Utility Supply, Smarr; Oconee EMC, Dudley; Jefferson Energy, Wrens; Mitchell EMC, Camilla: Slash Pine EMC, Homerville; Snapping Shoals EMC, Covington; and Southern Rivers, Barnesville.

EMC representatives are optimistic that the Week of Volunteerism will grow over time and attract more employees to benefit greater numbers and a wide range of agencies and causes.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state's 42 EMCs, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. For more information, see www.georgiaemc.com.

Oglethorpe Power Corp. is one of the nation's largest power supply cooperatives serving 39 consumer-owned Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) in Georgia. For more information, see www.opc.com.

Georgia Transmission Corp., a not-for-profit cooperative owned by 39 EMCs, owns more than 3,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 600 substations. For more information, see www.gatrans.com.

Georgia System Operations Corporation is an independent, not-for-profit system operations company owned by 38 of Georgia's EMCs. For more information, see www.gasoc.com.