May 5, 2009
Contact: David Clementson
www.vaag.com
(804)692-0552
dclementson@oag.state.va.us
‘Legal Food Frenzy’ Breaks Records,
Raises the Equivalent of More Than 1.6 Million Pounds of Food for the Hungry
Schettine & Nguyen of Richmond Wins Third Annual Statewide Competition Among Law Firms
The recently completed “Legal Food Frenzy” broke previous records, raising the equivalent of more than 1.6 million pounds of food for the hungry. The third annual statewide competition pitted law firms against each other to help the hungry, and beat its goal of 1.5 million pounds.
The law firm that raised the most food per capita – thus winning “The Attorney General’s Cup” -- was Schettine & Nguyen from Richmond for the second year in a row. The law firm has 12 employees and raised almost 8,141 pounds of food per capita. Attorney General Bill Mims relayed the news to the firm in a phone call this afternoon.
Virginia’s statewide food and funds drive by lawyers has become so popular that other states are copying it. Attorney General Mims will make a presentation in June to the National Association of Attorneys General to lay the groundwork for a nationwide effort.
According to Leslie Van Horn, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, “This is beyond our expectations. Food Banks are experiencing an historic surge in demand for assistance. Law firms throughout the Commonwealth heard our call. The collaboration of the Attorney General’s Office, Virginia Bar Association and food banks truly has made a difference for those in need throughout Virginia.”
Founded by former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the benevolent contest runs during a traditionally slow period for food bank donations. The “Legal Food Frenzy” is the first statewide food drive in the history of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.
The contest ran March 30 through April 10 and was open to all lawyers and members of the legal community across Virginia. Two hundred sixteen law firms participated, up from 181 last year.
In the first year of the statewide “Legal Food Frenzy,” nearly 679,000 pounds of food were raised. That amount doubled in 2008, when more than 1.3 million pounds of food were donated.
“Our third annual ‘Legal Food Frenzy’ brought out the best in the legal community, as we competed together to raise food for the hungry,” Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims said. “It has been an honor to travel across the Commonwealth and see the Bar Association and the Food Banks serving Virginians in these dire economic times. I was gratified by the outpouring of generosity.”
According to Chris Gill of the Virginia Bar Association and Christian & Barton law firm in Richmond, “The fact that this year's Legal Food Frenzy raised more food and funds than ever before, in a down economy, shows that even though times are tight, people recognize that there are many for whom times are much worse.”
In addition to thanking the work of the food drive coordinators and representatives across the state, the Attorney General specifically wishes to thank the Virginia Bar Association’s cochairs Gill, Derek Swanson of McGuire Woods, and Katja Hill of LeClairRyan.
The winners of the Third Annual Statewide “Legal Food Frenzy” Categories:
Attorney General’s Cup Winner: Per Capita:
Schettine & Nguyen, PLC (Richmond)
8,140.93 pounds per person
Small (1-20) Law Firm: Total Pounds: “The Brunswick Stew Award”
Schettine & Nguyen, PLC (Richmond)
97,691.25 pounds
Small (1-20) Law Firm: Per Capita: “The Shenandoah Apple Award”
Schettine & Nguyen, PLC (Richmond)
8,140.93 pounds per person
Medium (21-100) Law Firm Total Pounds: “The James River Shad Award”
Christian and Barton, LLP (Richmond)
68,415.25 pounds
Medium (21-100) Law Firm Per Capita: “The Hanover Tomato Award”
McKenry, Dancigers, Dawson & Lake (Virginia Beach)
1,397.88 pounds per person
Large (101 and up) Law Firm Total Pounds: “The Smithfield Ham Award”
McGuireWoods LLP
308,106.75 pounds
Large (101 and up) Law Firm Per Capita: “The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Award”
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP (Reston)
654.82 pounds per person
Sole Proprietor (1-2) Law Firm Total Pounds: “The Virginia Peanut Award”
Law Offices of David A. Greer, PLC (Norfolk) 5,050 pounds
Law School Winner of Attorney General’s Cup Total Pounds and Per Capita:
University of Richmond School of Law (Richmond) 37,583.75 pounds, 85.22 pounds per person
Totals for each regional Food Bank in Virginia are as follows:
Food Bank Total Pounds
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (Charlottesville area) 63,807.20
Capital Area Food Bank (Northern Va) 279,775.64
Central Virginia Food Bank (based in Richmond) 836,220.96
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia (based in Norfolk) 374,821.20
Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula 8,626.32
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank 12,688.00
Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank 76,792.20
