A recent study by Feeding America found that over 1,000,000 Virginians are considered “food insecure.” This represents nearly a forty percent increase since 2006. A large number of these individuals are children, senior citizens, disabled adults, and the new face of hunger—individuals who have lost their jobs and are having problems making ends meet. In fact, Virginia’s food banks are currently experiencing record demand for services.
THE RESPONSE
In response to this urgent need, the Office of the Attorney General, The Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks joined efforts in 2007 to create the Statewide Legal Food Frenzy—a food and fund drive competition among all Virginia law firms and organizations. In this friendly competition, the law firm or organization that raises the most food (based on a per person average—attorneys and staff) will be awarded the prestigious and highly coveted “Attorney General’s Cup.” In addition, Attorney General C------- will be awarding winners of the sole practitioner, small, medium, and large size firm categories. The top law school will be awarded the prized “Mini Attorney General’s Cup” and a special award will be given to the top government/public interest office.
Over the past four years, law firms, legal organizations, and law schools who participated in the Statewide Legal Food Frenzy have raised the equivalent of more than 5,400,000 pounds of food.
This year, we hope is to raise the equivalent of at least 1,600,000 pounds of food, so that we can meet our five year goal of raising the equivalent of 7,000,000 pounds of food for Virginians in need. To reach our goal, we need each and every law firm, legal department, law office, law school, and court in Virginia to participate.
The Brain and his firm, being lovers of food, participated with gusto. They amassed about 2250 pounds of supplies to donate to the cause. They are hoping to win the competition so that they can go to Richmond and meet the AG... oh wait... They are hoping to win the competition because it would be a tangible way to benefit the community, raise awareness of an under addressed situation, and demonstrate the importance of generosity. And they like to win.
The picture is all the water that was loaded into Warwick today. Hurray for strong trucks!
