Massachusetts to Kick off Legal Food Frenzy

Massachusetts’ 1st Annual “Legal Food Frenzy”– to raise food and funds for the Greater Boston Food Bank — begins on Monday and will run through March 12, 2010.

“A recent study by the Food Security Institute, Center on Hunger and Poverty found that over 600,000 Virginians are considered either “food insecure” or “food insecure with hunger.” A large number of these individuals are children, senior citizens, or disabled. It is estimated that our recent economic downturn has increased these levels by thirty percent. At the same time, our food banks are experiencing a dearth in donations, further increasing the level of unmet need. ”

The “Frenzy” is a benevolent yet spirited competition within the legal community, modeled after a successful program which began in Virginia. As of today, 42 law firms, law schools and other legal organizations have signed up to compete to see who can raise the most funds and collect the most food for distribution to food pantries and food assistance programs throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

All of the funds and food collected will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in New England, to benefit hungry families in Massachusetts. According to a Boston Globe article about the Frenzy “newly released figures show that the number of people in Massachusetts using food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens has increased 23 percent over the past four years.” (A law-abiding Food Frenzy, February 24, 2009)

The goal for the 2010 “Legal Food Frenzy” to bring in 500,000 pounds of food (or its equivalent in monetary donations) during the two week campaign and the overall winner will receive a celebratory trophy.

A kickoff event was held at the Greater Boston Food Bank this past Tuesday, February 23.

The Legal Food Frenzy has started to spread to many eastern states:

According to Greg Zoeller, Indiana’s AG, “With the success of Virginia’s first-in-the-nation statewide Legal Food Frenzy, we look to similarly partner with food banks to combat hunger. I hope our efforts in Indiana help take Virginia’s successful Legal Food Frenzy to the next level nationally.”

North Carolina AG Roy Cooper said, “I’m pleased to work with North Carolina food banks and my state’s legal community to create a statewide food drive modeled after the successful Legal Food Frenzy in Virginia.”

Van Horn said food banks have seen three faces of hunger – the working poor, children and senior citizens. “But now there is a fourth face of hunger and one everyone knows – your neighbor, or a co-worker’s spouse, who has been laid off or their company has closed and they are unable to find a job,” she said.”

Stay tuned for updates and to learn more about preventing hunger in Massachusetts.

Update: March 2, 2010

The Massachusetts Legal Food Frenzy is currently underway and is collecting food and monetary donations for the Greater Boston Food Bank, to try to help fight hunger in Massachusetts. The report, Hunger in America, notes that 33% of the members of households served by Massachusetts food banks are children under 18; 7% are under age five.

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