YLD Launches Legal Feeding Frenzy

Article Date: Sunday, March 22, 2009

Written By: Russell Rawlings

Perhaps now more than ever before, the major food banks of North Carolina are in need of food donations. To that end, the lawyers of North Carolina are responding in a supportive and competitive fashion through the implementation of their first Legal Feeding Frenzy.

A project of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, the Legal Feeding Frenzy is being launched in conjunction with the NCBA’s 4ALL Campaign to expand the provision of civil legal assistance “for all” North Carolinians. Attorney General Roy Cooper has graciously agreed to work in partnership with the NCBA YLD to help make this project a success.

“More North Carolina families are struggling to make ends meet,” Cooper stated, “and local food banks are struggling to meet the increased need. I’m proud to see the North Carolina Bar Association and our legal community working with food banks to fight hunger by collecting food across our state.”

The concept, inspired by a similar event conducted by the Virginia Bar Association, calls for legal communities throughout the state to conduct food drives on behalf of the North Carolina’s six major food banks. The goal is 250,000 pounds of food.

“In the spirit of friendly competition, we will be tracking contributions by law firms, legal offices and law schools around the state,” said Rick Rutledge, who is serving as co-chair of the project along with Allison Wagner. “We will publicly acknowledge top contributors at the end of the collection period.

“We chose the name and the logo of this event to poke a little light-hearted fun at ourselves, while showing the citizens of North Carolina that we care and are willing to give selflessly of our time to make a difference in our communities. We hope we can channel that competitive spirit into a worthwhile project where everyone wins, especially those in need.”

The leading overall collector, the leading law school and the most successful law firm, per capita, will be recognized. The collection period will continue through the end of the month on March 31.

Organizers are urging participating firms and attorneys to collect “shelf-stable” food items. The YLD network of volunteers will help coordinate the process of delivering collected items to food banks in Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Elizabeth City and Fayetteville. Volunteers will also assist in the collection and weighing of food and the tabulation of donations; however, there will be a 10-percent scoring bonus added to the weight of food that participants deliver to food banks themselves.

Although many firms and individual attorneys have already registered, it’s certainly not too late to sign up for this worthwhile venture. Whether your interest is competitive, charitable, or a whole lot of both, every can and package of food will help.

Click here to access the registration form which will alert the NCBA YLD to your participation in the event. Fax or e-mail the form to either Rick Rutledge (336-458-4008; Rick@RickRutledgeLaw.com) or Allison Wagner (336-722-2382; awagner@davisharwell.com

Click here for additional information including a listing of food banks by county and the complete roster of food bank and YLD contacts.