“We are on a mission to make sustainable shifts toward a greener tomorrow by taking small steps to enact big change,” said Katie Rodgers-Hubbard, Lite Foot Environmental Foundation founder. “Since the inception of Lite Foot Company [the foundation’s sister retail store] in January 2021, we have already kept one million plastic bags, 400,000 cotton balls and 25,000 plastic bottles out of landfills through our local programming. Our foundation’s initiatives expand beyond our brick-and-mortar store, empowering us to educate and engage the community and make environmental stewardship part of Savannah’s future.”
Sponsored by ABC Waste and ForSight Unique Eye Care & Eye Wear, this year’s event will include a sustainable design upcycling competition, live music, a raffle, a sampling of light bites and a cash bar. The competition will feature three exciting categories for designers to showcase pieces that are fashionable, functional and replicable, with each category winner receiving a $300 cash prize and opportunity to sell their creation at the Lite Foot Company’s store in the Starland District. Designs will be judged by a panel of creative professionals including SCAD professors and community leaders.
Funds raised by this year’s event will directly support Lite Foot Environmental Foundation’s mission and initiatives, including its two main projects: the Closed Loop Water Bottle Initiative and the Plastic Upcycling Initiative.
The Closed Loop Water Bottle Initiative aims to reduce single-use plastic by providing a sustainable alternative—reusable aluminum bottles. This program encourages local businesses and residents to make the switch, helping to minimize plastic waste and promote a culture of reuse. These bottles are not only eco-friendly but also durable and designed to be refilled over and over, reducing the need for disposable plastic bottles and contributing to a cleaner, greener Savannah. Lite Foot plans to collect, sanitize, refill and distribute bottles back to businesses to be resold.
The Plastic Upcycling Initiative is a creative solution to Savannah’s plastic waste problem. Through this program, Lite Foot Environmental Foundation takes plastic waste collected from the community, shreds it and transforms it into new, useful products. From park benches to household items, this initiative not only keeps plastic waste out of landfills, but turns it into something valuable and long-lasting.
Tickets for the event are $10 for students, $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP guests. Event underwriter and sponsorship opportunities are also available, giving like-minded organizations an opportunity to support local creatives and help combat pollution and waste from fast fashion. More information and tickets are available at litefootef.org.
About Lite Foot Environmental Foundation
Lite Foot Environmental Foundation believes that we must tackle our reliance on plastic and single-use products if we want to ensure a bright future for all. Through educational initiatives, swaps, and creative upcycling opportunities, we believe in the collective power of the community to make sustainable shifts towards a greener tomorrow for our planet. Learn more at litefootef.org.
