Alston & Bird vaulted into the Top 10 teams in the Legal Food Frenzy, with about $9,700 collected as of 4 p.m. Thursday. The firm was less than $100 behind last year's winner, Habachy Law, but both teams trailed Georgia Tech's in-house legal department, which held the lead at just over $19,000.

Overall, the legal community has raised $268,219 for food banks around the state, which face unprecedented demand in light of job losses from the economic shutdown to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kyle Waide, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, said his organization's need "has increased exponentially" in the past sic weeks. "We are so thankful for the legal community, and especially the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy competition," he said. "This incredible fund drive is more important than ever, and we are so glad to see that it is off to a great start."

The other top teams Thursday afternoon were:

  • Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbs, $7,292.25;
  • Squire Patton Boggs, $7,198.75;
  • Arnall Golden Gregory, $7,192.50;
  • Office of the Attorney General, $7,003.50;
  • DLA Piper, $6,340;
  • King & Spalding, $6,328; and
  • BakerHostetler, $6,156.25.

The competition goes through Friday, May 1. To donate or start a team go to http://galegalfoodfrenzy.org/.