In New York City, approximately 1.4 million people struggle to put food on the table, relying on soup kitchens and food pantries for their next meal. To help in the fight against hunger, Ropes & Gray's New York office has joined forces with the Food Bank for New York City. The partnership falls under the Food Bank's Justice Served campaign, the organization's platform for the legal community.
On Saturday, Jan. 21, 35 Ropes & Gray volunteers visited the Food Bank's 90,000-square-foot warehouse in the Bronx to assist with organizing and packing food for the organization's network of food pantries and soup kitchens. The warehouse serves as the food hub for more than 1,000 community-based member programs throughout the five boroughs, coordinating the collections and distributions that enable it to dispatch -- every day -- between eight to 10 trucks of food to New Yorkers in need. In one morning, the Ropes & Gray volunteers organized and packed nearly 4,000 pounds of food, baby products, household items and other critical donations that would reach individuals and families.
"Whether through pro bono legal services or through volunteerism, we are proud of all the ways our office contributes to making a positive social impact in New York City," said partner David Djaha, pictured on the left with Francisco Tezén, Vice President of Fundraising at the Food Bank. "Hunger is an issue that affects too many people in our communities. We look forward to contributing our time, energy and resources to the Food Bank's important work."
The trip to the warehouse marks Ropes & Gray's second office-wide effort on behalf of the Food Bank. The firm inaugurated its relationship with a holiday food drive, which brought in more than 150 pounds of canned goods that were distributed to needy families. On Feb. 8, a second group of 10 volunteers will help out at the Food Bank's Community Kitchen in West Harlem for its evening service.
Ropes & Gray volunteers organized and packed nearly 4,000 lbs of critical donations for individuals and families.
The Food Bank serves upwards of 62 million free meals per year, advocates for essential government programs for the working poor, and facilitates access to nutritional education and financial programs. The Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Working toward long-term solutions to food poverty, the Food Bank develops policy and conducts research to inform community and government efforts.