Legal Feeding Frenzy Update

By Michele Livingstone and Erin Ball

CONGRATULATIONS! And, thank you. With your help, the Legal Feeding Frenzy has surpassed its original goal of $75,000 / 300,000 pounds of food! There are now 2 days left in the frenzy!

There is no denying that we have entered an unprecedented and unpredictable time as a result of COVID-19. But we are so encouraged by how our colleagues continue to answer the call to help our neighbors in need through efforts like the LFF. When we set our original LFF 2020 goal, we had not yet heard of or anticipated the wide-spread effects of COVID-19. As stay at home orders go in place across the state, schools extend their closings, and businesses are forced to close and lay off employees, we’re going to continue to see a strain on our local food banks as demand continues to increase.  Accordingly, we have decided to increase the #LFF2020 goal to help meet these needs.

We challenge you all to help us reach our new goal of $100,000 / 400,000 pounds of food.

Putting the competition aside, each of our local food banks has slightly different buying power. Here is a look at how your donation (no matter how small) could impact your area:

• Asheville – $1 is enough to supply 4 meals
• Charlotte – $25 is enough to supply a 7-day nutritionally balanced food box
• Fayetteville – $1 is enough to supply 5 meals
• Raleigh – $10 is enough to supply 10 meals
• Winston Salem – $15 is enough to supply 1 emergency family food box; $12 is enough to supply 1 senior food box; $5 is enough to supply 1 child’s food backpack

Some of you may have noticed that Mecklenburg County’s Stay-At-Home Order rightfully excluded food banks because they are Essential Human Services Operations, allowing them to continue their good works:

Organizations that provide charitable and social services. Businesses and religious and secular nonprofit organizations, including food banks, when providing food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency, and people with disabilities;

Many of us, and many people in our networks, are fortunate enough to not be economically disadvantaged, even now. Too many North Carolinians cannot say the same.

The bottom line? Food banks aren’t stopping. Why should we? The best way to get through this is together.

Thank you all for your support and for helping us spread the word.  Please also see the message from Mike Darrow of Feeding the Carolinas below.

Erin & Michele

LFF 2020 Co-Chairs