As the holidays approach, many may be motivated to donate to the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Lawyers Feeding New Jersey (LFNJ) program, which partners with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) to provide meals to New Jerseyans who don’t have enough to eat.
Still others, like Mary Lou Delahanty, a solo practitioner in Trenton, make giving to LFNJ a priority year-round.
“I’d read articles about hunger and food shortages exacerbated by the pandemic and I was impressed that the Bar Association took on that important project. I wanted to support it. It’s an opportunity to give back,” she said.
Delahanty became a regular monthly contributor to the LFNJ a year ago.
Robert Goldstein, of counsel at Drescher & Cheslow, in Manalapan, praised the justness of the cause, CFBNJ’s work in the community and the ease of making donating a habit through automatic payments.
“I do it out of a sense of right and wrong. I’m motivated because I know there’s a need and I can afford to do it and I’m happy to do it,” said Goldstein, who has been donating to the LFNJ every month for the past year.
LFNJ is getting a boost this month from the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) Family Law Section, which has selected the program as its charity for its November-to-Remember fall holiday party.
“I just think it is important for us to remember how fortunate many of us are and to contribute money to an organization that helps this basic need. It is such a great thing to do and it makes you feel good,” said Paris Eliades, a member of the Family Law Section Executive Committee who launched the LFNJ in 2014, when he was president of the NJSBA.
“I say contribute however much you can, not matter how small. Every dollar provides three meals to a family. It takes so little to take out a credit card and plug in a few numbers. Know you are helping some child or a family put food on their table,” said Eliades, who makes a monthly contribution.
In New Jersey, about 800,000 people struggle with hunger, and 200,000 of them are children, according to the CFBNJ. During the past 18 months, the communities the food bank serves have faced high unemployment, school and business closures, serious health concerns, social distancing challenges and, most recently, Hurricane Ida.
CFBNJ distributed food for more than 85 million meals in fiscal year 2021, with an expected total of 93 million meals in fiscal year 2022.
“There’s been a huge demand for food assistance during the pandemic, riddled from day one with supply chain issues. The shortages that supermarkets are dealing with have translated into less donations to us and increased costs,” said Carlos Rodriguez, president and CEO of CFBNJ.
But he said NJSBA members’ unwavering support has helped the organization weather periods of increased demand. LFNJ has raised nearly $37,500 since the summer of 2019 and more than $100,000 since it was launched.
To donate to LFNJ, visit njsba.com.