Law firms across Indiana team up

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette was just one stop for Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller Monday. He officially announced the kick-off for March Against Hunger.

March Against Hunger is a statewide competition among the nearly seven thousand members of the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) to see which law firm can collect the most food for ten regional food banks in Indiana.

Zoeller said there's definitely a need and he's counting on ISBA members to help fill it.

"It's a competitive group. Attorneys are often found arguing against one another, but for purposes of feeding Indiana's hungry, we can all get together in a friendly competition and kind of enjoy the camaraderie of the effort, but also kind of recognize that people are having a hard time in Indiana. This is the second year in a row that we've seen double digit unemployment. The crisis also effects the food bank industry," said Zoeller.

Food Finders Food Bank in Lafayette is one of those ten food banks. Development Director for Food Finders, Kim Motuliak, said Food Finders saw the need for food rise to 52 percent this year. While their donations were up 33 percent, there is still a gap.

"We have always been incredibly fortunate that folks have met the need and really responded when we have a critical shortage or when we have a special event. We feel certain that this group will definitely hear the call that the attorney general made earlier today and respond accordingly," said Motuliak.

Law firms will compete in three divisions and be categorized by size. Zoeller says food collected from the March Against Hunger campaign stays in the community as well.

"All the resources are kept in the community. The food bank here serves a network of counties throughout this part of the state," said Zoeller.

The largest donating law firm in each division will receive a trophy: The Attorney General's Cup.

March Against Hunger ends March 31.