Attorneys Against Hunger raises all-time high of nearly $98,000
By Erin Rhodes
For The Lawyers Journal
March 28, 2008—Fifteen years ago, the first Attorneys Against Hunger campaign raised approximately $20,000. Fast forward to 2008’s campaign, which has raised nearly $98,000, bringing the campaign’s all-time total to more than $700,000.
Every dollar raised from the campaign directly benefits local agencies that provide food and other services to low-income individuals and families. Under the guidance of co-chairs Mary McGinley and Bryan Neft, and due to the increase in donations this year, Attorneys Against Hunger will add two new agencies to its list of recipients: East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty and Intersection, Inc. in McKeesport.
Over the campaign’s 15-year history, more than 2,000 attorneys, over 140 law firms and companies, and 19 ACBA sections have generously contributed to Attorneys Against Hunger. For the past five years, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, the McGinley family members of the bar association, and the Rita M. McGinley Foundation have generously provided the campaign with a $15,000 challenge grant. In addition, LexisNexis underwrites 100% of the administrative costs of the campaign, ensuring that all of the proceeds go directly to the recipient agencies. The ongoing support of these individuals and organizations has greatly contributed to the campaign’s success.
Kenny Steinberg, who co-founded Attorneys Against Hunger with fellow attorney Amy Greer, has noted the evolution of the program.
“The campaign was completely grass roots when it started in 1993,” said Steinberg. “We met weekly in my office over food and developed a plan to raise money from our acquaintances, the law firms, and ACBA sections to collect $10 per person for AAH. Something I had always wanted to do as my goal was to have the ACBA (later ACBF) adopt AAH. This could have only happened because of the foresight of Dave Blaner and the late Jim Smith. Now, it wouldn't be a holiday season without a reminder from AAH.”
Each year, Attorneys Against Hunger hosts outreach events which provide attorneys with the opportunity to volunteer and see first-hand how local food pantries strive to serve low-income and indigent clients. During the most recent campaign, attorneys volunteered in a variety of ways: from helping families fill grocery bags with Thanksgiving meal ingredients at the Urban League to scooping over a hundred pounds of Cheerios at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Attorney Bernie Rubb has been volunteering with Attorneys Against Hunger since the program’s inception.
“When Attorneys Against Hunger first started, it was more about seeking donations and less about volunteering. I always felt the campaign should actually engage in providing services,” said Rubb. “I used to bring my teenaged children to the volunteer events, so that they could see what’s really important in life. To this day, both of my children still recall and appreciate their volunteer experiences.”
Bar Foundation Director Lorrie Albert is encouraged by the generosity of attorney donors and volunteers.
“I have had an insider’s view in the past few years of how this campaign has progressed,” Albert said. “Each year the campaign has grown by leaps and bounds. We have always been able to meet our goals which keep rising exponentially. One recent year, we were even fortunate to receive a few large gifts that really threw us over the top. We have had a hugely successful campaign this year. Our community outreach events where we volunteer at one of our recipient sites are fully staffed with volunteers, even turning potential volunteers away due to space constraints. I think that says volumes about the level of passion attorneys bring to the issue of helping resolve hunger in Allegheny County.”
If you have any questions about Attorneys Against Hunger or any of the organizations it supports, please contact Lorrie Albert at 412-402-6640 or lalbert@acba.org.