For much of the past two weeks, law firms have cut pay, canceled summer associate programs and made other moves to absorb economic shocks caused by efforts to slow COVID-19.

It seems like a bad time to ask the legal community for money—but that is exactly what will happen from April 20 to May 1 during the ninth annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy.

This event is always important—and fun, as law firms and other legal organizations compete to raise the most food for the state's food banks. This year it's essential.

Even when the economy was strong, there were about 1.5 million hungry Georgians, according to a report by the national food bank network Feeding America. But things have gotten much worse.

Danah Craft of the Georgia Food Bank Association said Georgia's food banks saw an immediate increase in the demand for food when public schools closed last month, because so many children rely on schools for free or reduced-price meals. As more businesses shuttered or cut back staffing, the food banks increased distribution by approximately 40%.

"In the last two weeks of March," she said, "about 20% of their mobile distribution events ran out of food with people still in line."

Attorney General Chris Carr, one of the sponsors of the Frenzy, donned a mask and gloves Tuesday to visit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. There he met with Georgia National Guard troopers assigned to help food banks, which have suspended volunteer programs.

"We know that around 16.2% of Georgians were food insecure before the coronavirus pandemic, and now that number will grow exponentially," said Carr. "It will be up to us to raise money that will keep inventory strong and support the long-term needs of our food banks."

The State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, along with Carr and the Georgia Food Bank Association, also sponsors the Frenzy. Will Davis, the YLD president, noted the "billable hour challenge" for donations.

"A simple donation of one billable hour—whether that be $65, $150 or $500—can change the food security situation for a small family for a week or more," he said.

Indeed, food banks can stretch $1 into $8 of food. Put another way, each $1 can provide four meals.

Firms and other organizations can register for the event at www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org.

Because food banks are not accepting walk-in food donations now, this year's Legal Food Frenzy is limited to raising money—not collecting food donations. "Having a box for food donations is a good reminder" in offices, said Callie Roan, corporate partnerships and communications manager at the food bank association. But this year contestants will have to push financial donations only.