2005 Attorneys Against Hunger campaign makes history
By Tracy Carbasho
For The Lawyers Journal
March 31, 2006—The Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Attorneys Against Hunger campaign has made history by raising more money than ever before. Total contributions to the campaign have surpassed $500,000 since this grassroots effort started in 1993.
“The members of the Allegheny County Bar Association see the value in giving to hunger-relief organizations through AAH,” said Bryan Neft, campaign co-chairman. “LexisNexis generously underwrites the campaign expenses, ensuring every dollar raised goes toward the fight against hunger. We are extremely proactive and selective about the organizations we fund to make sure the funds we raise are allocated to the most critical programs in Allegheny County.”
The 2005 campaign, launched in November, set a fundraising goal of $78,000. Preliminary tallies for the campaign, however, show $92,000 was raised, making this campaign a standout in helping the initiative shatter the $500,000 mark.
“When Ken Steinberg and Amy Greer developed AAH in 1993, it was seen as a grassroots effort by the bar association and bar foundation to raise the awareness of hunger in our community and to make a small contribution to two food banks and an organization that supported the efforts of food banks,” said David A. Blaner, executive director of the ACBA. “It was envisioned that we might collect $10,000 to $15,000 per year, and based on our calculation, it would take 20 to 30 years to raise $500,000.
“The mere fact that we have been able to make AAH an annual campaign that receives significant support from our members and area law firms is wonderful,” said Blaner. “We have been able to increase contributions because our members understand how important it is to eliminate hunger in our community. The members’ generosity speaks volumes.”
The success of the campaign can be attributed to many factors, according to Mark Edwards, director of administration and development for the ACBF, and Katie Blum, coordinator of special projects for the ACBF.
“The campaign has grown from a grassroots effort benefiting three agencies to serving 12 different organizations this year,” said Edwards. “In addition, the awareness of the campaign has really evolved over the years.”
Blum and Edwards attribute the campaign’s success to the leadership of Neft and Mary McGinley, who co-chaired the campaign, underwriting by LexisNexis, the dedication of the individuals and firms providing challenge grants, and the generosity and hard work of ACBA members.
A challenge calling for the ACBA to raise $45,000 in support of AAH was issued at the beginning of the campaign by Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, the Rita M. McGinley Foundation, and the McGinley family members of the ACBA. The ACBA met this challenge and, because of that, the ACBF will receive a $15,000 grant.
“We are thrilled with the response of the bar to the challenge grant. The various divisions, sections, and individual members of the ACBA have really embraced this campaign,” said McGinley, an associate at Meyer Unkovic & Scott. “We hope the challenge grant was a catalyst to this reaction, and we intend to be part of the next campaign.”
McGinley said the challenge grant provides additional motivation for past donors to increase their giving levels and for those who have not donated in the past to open their checkbooks and their hearts.
“Each year, the challenge amount has increased, and each year members of the bar have met the challenge,” McGinley said. “Hunger is a serious problem in Allegheny County, and the need goes well beyond what we see.”
Blum pointed out that the campaign has progressed to include multiple components that increase awareness and give ACBA members an opportunity to volunteer their time at the hunger-relief agencies. Outreach events at hunger agencies allow members to gain hands-on experience in helping the campaign. Events were held at the Jubilee Kitchen, Kosher Super Pantry, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. In addition, the Young Lawyers Division holds an annual Skate-a-Thon to benefit the campaign, and an AAH representative speaks at each ACBA section meeting during the campaign.
Proceeds from this campaign will be distributed to the Downtown Ministerium Walk-In Ministry, which is a consortium of five downtown churches including St. Mary of Mercy, Trinity Cathedral, First Presbyterian, Smithfield United, and First Lutheran. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, the Hunger Services Urban League of Pittsburgh, Jubilee Kitchen, Just Harvest, Kosher Super Pantry, the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, and Rainbow Kitchen will also receive proceeds from the campaign.
The AAH campaign is launched in early November each year. A mass mailing is conducted to solicit donations from the full membership of the ACBA. Campaign proceeds are distributed to local food service agencies in March and May.