Recent News

March 9, 2012

Operation Feed Law Firm Challenge

The Columbus Dispatch (January 15, 2012) reported on startling new data from the Ohio Department of Education. Nearly half of all children in Ohio qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The program is available only for those students whose families live on incomes which are less than 130 percent of the federal poverty level ($29,055 a year for a family of four). The most dramatic increase among Central Ohio districts was experienced in Worthington, where one in four students is now receiving free or reduced-price lunches, compared with just one in 20 a decade ago.

Local food pantries and soup kitchens across Central Ohio have experienced double-digit percentage increases in demand since the beginning of the so-called “Great Recession.” To those unfamiliar with the face of the hunger problem, look no further than your own neighbors, and perhaps your own extended family. It might surprise you to learn that increased demand for food assistance is coming from some of the most affluent communities in Central Ohio. It is not only a Columbus problem, but a Dublin, Worthington, Westerville, Bexley, Reynoldsburg, Pickerington, Canal Winchester, Grove City, Grandview Heights, and Hilliard problem.

Every year, the Operation Feed Campaign recruits local organizations to fight hunger through organizational food drives that benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. For every dollar raised, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank is able to provide a remarkable three meals to those in need. In 2011, a total a total of nine Columbus law firms conducted food drives, that raised an impressive 94,114 meals through food and fund donations. While all of these food drives were remarkable for their generosity and creativity, we can do better.

In order to increase the number of meals raised by Central Ohio law firms in 2012, the Columbus Bar and Mid-Ohio Foodbank have joined forces to launch the “Operation Feed Law Firm Challenge,” calling upon Central Ohio law firms of all sizes to participate. Through this spirited competition, the goal is to raise 115,000 meals in 2012.

Participating law firms must simply conduct their food drives between May 1 and June 15. Central Ohio’s best will be recognized at the 2012 Operation Feed Campaign Finale in August, when the following awards will be presented:

• Top Law Firm Award – Highest Overall Number of Meals Raised
• Top Law Firm Award – Highest Number of Meals Raised Per Capita
• Top Law Firm Award – Best Small Firm Campaign (the highest number of meals among firms of 2-10 lawyers)

Your firm’s help is needed. We invite you to participate and have a great time. Remember, just one dollar equals three meals. To learn more and to register, send an email to operationfeed@midohiofoodbank.org, or visit our website at www.midohiofoodbank.org/act/operation-feed/lawfirmchallenge.