News Post

Dear Colleagues,

The 5th Annual Alabama Legal Food Frenzy will be held May 4-15, 2020. This year, the competition will be entirely online, through a “virtual food drive.”  Plans were underway to transition to a digital format to make donating even easier and the COVID-19 outbreak provided additional incentives to take the Frenzy online.

The challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic have only served to underscore why this fundraiser matters now more than ever. Many of us are affected by the inconveniences imposed by cancellations and quarantining. For those who struggle with food insecurity, the impacts of the virus represent a more immediate hardship.  With schools closing, many children lose a prime source of daily meals.  Low-wage and seasonal workers who already depend on food banks are finding their wages further trimmed or eliminated because of reduced hours or the inability to find emergency childcare.  For so many Alabamians, this outbreak presents a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

While we cannot solve all of the problems caused by the pandemic, we can help with one: food insecurity. Many Alabamians are one job loss or medical crisis away from food insecurity, but some people, including children and seniors, may be at greater risk of hunger than others.  Day in and day out,  we know that our neighbors turn to food banks for assistance.  Alabama’s network of food banks provide support during times of disaster.  Knowing the importance of this, the Alabama State Bar is joining with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the Alabama Food Bank Association to challenge lawyers, law firms, law schools and legal organizations to raise funds and food to help feed 1.8 million needy Alabamians.

There are four Feeding America food banks and four Partner Distribution Organizations in Alabama serving all 67 counties.  These food banks purchase and provide food to over 1,600 pantry and soup kitchen programs across our state.  One in four Alabama children don’t always know where their next meal is coming from, especially in these uncertain times.  Many rely on school meals as their primary food for the day, which is no longer available to them for the time being.  This year’s legal food frenzy is more important than ever.  Families turn to food banks when schools are closed to help fill the gap.  Every dollar helps; just $1.00 could help provide at least five meals for hungry families.

Today, it is more evident than ever that we are Better Together!  Together, we can reduce food insecurity and raise more money than ever before.  To participate in the competition, your firm must sign up during the month of April.  The earlier you can register the better—so if you sign up during the first two weeks of April, we will promote you as part of our Honor Roll on the Legal Food Frenzy Website. To sign up or make a monetary donation,  visit www.alabamalegalfoodfrenzy.org.  Additional information along with competition rules and award categories are available on the website.  The Legal Food Frenzy is a tangible example of the power lawyers have when we work together toward a common goal—providing support for our fellow Alabamians in need of food assistance. Please join with me today to help end child hunger!   Be the good you want to see in the world.  Support the Legal Food Frenzy.

Sincerely,

Christy Crow
President, Alabama State Bar