Balch & Bingham Hosts Annual Bird Supper Benefitting Kids' Chance of Georgia, Inc.

Balch & Bingham’s Atlanta office was proud to co-host the firm’s Annual “Bird Supper” along with Hall Booth Smith, P.C., supporting Kids’ Chance of Georgia, Inc. on March 30, 2022, with more than 250 in attendance enjoying fried quail, grits, gumbo and an evening of good cheer. 

Balch became involved with the Bird Supper several years ago as an outgrowth of the firm’s relationship with the late Hugh McNatt, who passed away in June of last year. Hugh was co-founder of the Bird Supper and a partner in the firm’s Atlanta office. 

“This year’s event was an incredible tribute to Hugh’s legacy,” said Josh Archer, Managing Partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “The Bird Supper honors his ability to both connect people and support our community, and it is our hope continue to bring people together each year in his memory.” 

The Bird Supper has a storied history beginning more than 30 years ago when Hugh, alongside his late friend, Cliff Adams, an Atlanta attorney who served as general counsel to both electric and natural gas authorities in Georgia until his retirement in 2001. The duo had a late-night idea to host a supper for a few friends.  Cliff volunteered to tackle the duck gumbo, while Hugh, a lifelong hunter, felt confident he could handle the biscuits, grits and quail. Decades later, the same menu is still served at the Bird Supper, through the event has grown in size. 

This year, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was also in attendance and shared his appreciation saying, “Thank you to everyone who attends this event each year and supports these kids. Hugh McNatt was a great friend and a public servant.” 

Several years ago, Balch added  a charitable component to the Bird Supper to benefit Kids' Chance of Georgia, Inc. – a nonprofit corporation developed by the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia that provides financial scholarships for children of permanently or catastrophically injured or deceased workers to complete their education. Kids’ Chance was founded in 1988 by Hugh, who witnessed the life-shattering impact workplace injuries have on children of seriously or fatally injured workers. 

Courtney Turner, a Bird Supper scholarship recipient, was a powerful presenter at this year’s event, describing the inspiration she drew from the tragedy of losing her father at age 10, and also the triumph of witnessing the difference that Kids Chance has made in the lives of others. 

To date, the event has raised more than $1 million in scholarship funding. Balch is currently supporting six college students with the Hugh McNatt and Clifford Adams scholarship funds.