This Friday we welcome District 54 House Representative Edward Lindsey as our honored guest and speaker.

Representative Edward Lindsey is a native Georgian and a graduate of our public schools with deep roots in our state’s rural, small town, and urban communities. He earned a degree in History from Davidson College, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia, School of Law. Edward and three partners started their own firm in 1990 defending individuals, small businesses, corporations, churches and private schools. Today, this firm business employs almost 80 individuals in three states.

First elected in 2004 to the Georgia House of Representatives, Edward has risen to the highest levels of Republican leadership serving as the Majority Whip for three terms, in charge of building support for Republican legislative initiatives.

Previously, he served as Chair of the House Appropriations Sub Committee on Education, Co- Chair of the Republican Caucus Policy Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Lindsey also serves on the Appropriations, Industrial Relations, Education, Ethics, Judiciary, and Rules Committees, as well as ex officio on all other standing House Committees. In addition, he also serves as one of Georgia’s Commissioners to the Uniform Law Commission, a member of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, a member of the Advisory Board of the Georgia World Congress Center, and Chairman of the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute. Since entering the General Assembly, Rep. Lindsey has been honored by the American Conservative Union (100% rating in 2012), Georgia Conservation Voters, the Georgia Coalition Against Family Violence, the Georgia Psychological Association, the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, the Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Women for a Change, and the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians for his efforts on behalf of the people of Georgia.

Rep. Lindsey is a founding partner with the law firm of Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson, LLP, and has practiced law for over 29 years throughout the state of Georgia. Edward and his wife Elizabeth, live in the Buckhead Community of Atlanta and have three sons — Harman, Charlie, and Zack.

Fellow Atlanta Lions participated in the Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program July 15-19, 2013. Read on to learn more.

Action Ministries’ Childhood Nutrition Initiative

Smart Lunch, Smart Kid – Action Ministries’ child nutrition program – brings nutritious meals to children in need and makes it possible for partners to make a difference in the lives of children in their local communities.

Every day in Georgia, more than 800,000 students receive a free or reducedprice lunch. Sadly, when the school year ends, so does their access to this important meal.

Research shows proper nutrition in childhood plays an important role in a young person’s physical and mental growth. It can contribute to a child’s overall health and well-being and help them grow to their full potential.

According to a recent national study, Georgia ranks sixth in the nation for child food insecurity (limited or uncertain access to adequate food) with more than 700,000 children in the state at risk of hunger.

Many children at risk of hunger rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. Of the 800,000 who receive free or reduced-price lunches at school only 13.6 percent (just over 100,000 children) participate in summer meals programs in Georgia.

Action Ministries is committed to ensuring that Georgia’s children have access to the food they need to learn and grow – especially during the summer months.

How does Smart Lunch, Smart Kid work?

Using the most up-to-date data available, a local Action Ministries coordinator identifies communities of greatest need and determines suitable distribution sites.

The local coordinator provides training to community partners and volunteers receive training on how to prepare lunches which are assembled following an easy-to-use menu of smart food choices.

The coordinator then works with local volunteers to deliver healthy sack lunches to around 400 children in each area who are not served by other programs.

How can I become involved in Smart Lunch, Smart Kid?

Action Ministries is pleased to offer various levels of involvement.

• Organizations can serve as Host Sites.
• Volunteers can join together to make, package and deliver meals. All can give of their time and their personal gifts.