Fight Hunger, Help Others in the COVID-19 Pandemic – Participate in the Legal Feeding Frenzy and Support Your Local Food Bank!
By Michele Livingstone and Will Quick
We are in unprecedented times with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). It is now more important than ever that we help our neighbors and those who are not as fortunate. I am confident that each of you is doing your part.
Even in the best of times, however, over 1.5 Million North Carolinians struggle with hunger—of those, nearly half a million are children. With public schools and many religious and nonprofit organizations that traditionally serve the food insecure in our communities being closed for indefinite periods, and government leaders calling for social distancing to help limit the spread of Coronavirus, that need is never more pressing than now.
One way great way to support your local community and participate in a traditional NCBA service project is to donate through the Legal Feeding Frenzy (LFF) effort currently underway. LFF—an annual food and fund drive competition among all North Carolina law firms, law schools, and organizations to assist—is a joint program of the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Feeding the Carolinas food banks, supported by a grant from the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment. LFF officially kicked off March 1 and runs through March 31, 2020 (but, don’t let the competition end date stop you from giving—the need goes on). Organizations that raise the most food (based on a per person average—attorneys and staff) are recognized with an “Attorney General’s Cup” (categories including: Sole Practitioner, Small Firm, Medium Firm, Large Firm, Law School, Public Interest, and Corporate/In-House Counsel).
Here are some reasons why COVID-19 makes LFF more important, not less:
- Food Banks are in disaster mode and need our help, now more than ever!
- Many workers will see their hours (and net pay) reduced
- Children who are out of school will miss out on free lunches
- Low income workers will find that discount retailers are low in stock or out of supplies
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (Charlotte) can buy 7 pounds of food with every $1 donated
- Donations and communications about LFF can all happen at a safe social distance (online)!
If you would like to read more about the current need I encourage you to visit the Feeding the Carolinas website for their special message on COVID-19 Hunger Relief.
To donate or register a LFF team CLICK HERE!