Lanier Islands Resort Seeks to Create a Little “Magic” for Georgia Mountain Food Bank This November

When Magical Nights of Lights kicks off at 5 p.m. on November 20, Lanier Islands Resort will put its neighbors in need front and center. From opening night through November 30, attendees of the miles-long drive-thru holiday light show are asked to bring five or more canned goods to benefit the resort’s official charitable partner, Georgia Mountain Food Bank. The food bank will distribute the collected cans to its network of 60 agency partners that span five North Georgia counties in time for the holiday season. As a thank-you for their generosity, donors will receive a $20 voucher, including $10.00 off Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Game Changer and $10.00 off an entry ticket to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands’ License to Chill Snow Island.

“It’s so easy for many of us to get wrapped up in the joy of the holiday season, but we have to remember that joy doesn’t come quite as easily for everyone this time of year,” said Matthew Bowling, President of Lanier Islands Resort. “Nearly 20% of children in Georgia are food insecure, and more than 12% of older adults and nearly 8% of veterans are at the poverty level. Georgia Mountain Food Bank is well equipped to meet the need, thanks to its dedicated team, its essential work in the North Georgia community since 2008, and its relationships with two organizations renowned for fighting food insecurity: Feeding America and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.”

Lanier Islands Resort’s partnership with Georgia Mountain Food Bank extends far beyond holiday giving. The lakeside destination was recently honored as the nonprofit's “Jim Walters Corporate Partner of the Year” at its Empty Bowl Luncheon. Multiple campaigns – including the Concerts for a Cause series, the GREENS FOR GOOD Golf tournament, and Dashing Through the Glow in conjunction with Big Peach of Braselton – and advocacy for the food bank with various special events the Islands hosts throughout the year, such as the upcoming Songwriters at the Lake Music Festival, have generated over 100,000 meals to aid in the regional battle against hunger.

“Lanier Islands has made a significant impact in our community, committed to fighting hunger and to creating a better space for all residents in North Georgia,” said Phil Dennis, the nonprofit’s Development Director. “Georgia Mountain Food Bank is grateful for their strong support of our mission and our efforts to provide food, hope, and stability to our neighbors in need.”

After November 20, the newly expanded Magical Nights of Lights will bring “More Lights, More Magic, and More Memories” nightly from 5-10 p.m. through January 3, 2027. Guests can enhance their experience with stopovers at Holiday Headquarters inside Game Changer, which includes the return of Clark’s Holiday Pop-up Bar, as well as the snow tubing hills, carnival rides, and ice skating rink at Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. To transform their Magical Night into an unforgettable holiday stay, guests can book one of the resort’s holiday-themed accommodation packages. Reservations can be made at https://www.lanierislands.com/holiday-events/holiday-packages/ or by calling 770-945-8787. Lanier Islands Resort is 45 miles north of Atlanta at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. To explore amenities and other future events, visit www.LanierIslands.com.