Many children who rely on school lunch programs go without meals during summer break, creating a significant gap in their access to nutritious food. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank aims to close this gap by providing meals and groceries to neighbors. These efforts rely heavily on volunteer support, and the LA legal community has played a vital role in making this possible through the annual Food From The Bar campaign.
Since its inception 16 years ago, Food From The Bar has united legal professionals across Los Angeles County in a friendly competition to raise funds and awareness for hunger relief. In 2024, the campaign raised over $479,000, helping the Food Bank provide essential resources to those facing food insecurity.
In 2025, the campaign aims to surpass this achievement by engaging 60 organizations to help raise $500,000, provide 2 million meals and log 500 volunteer shifts.
Nonprofits like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank rely heavily on volunteers to fulfill their mission. While financial donations provide critical resources, volunteer efforts enable organizations to efficiently sort, pack, and distribute food to those who need it most. Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofit initiatives, turning donations into meals that reach thousands of individuals and families across Los Angeles County.
The Food From The Bar (FFTB) campaign exemplifies how volunteerism can significantly impact hunger relief efforts. Each volunteer shift contributes directly to the Food Bank’s ability to meet increased demand during summer when food-insecure schoolchildren and their families often struggle the most. By dedicating their time, legal professionals and their families help ensure that nutritious food reaches our neighbors.
While financial contributions are crucial, volunteering is essential for participants to engage directly in the Food Bank’s mission. Volunteers support a variety of crucial activities, such as:
Many FFTB teams participate as groups, bringing together friends, family, and colleagues to make a meaningful impact. Organizations are encouraged to wear branded t-shirts, aprons or hats to represent their team spirit while volunteering.
When FFTB teams donate their time to volunteer, they directly help the Food Bank provide nutritious meals to our neighbors. Each volunteer shift earns the organization points in the friendly competition, but more importantly, the collective efforts create a lasting impact in our community. Together, we can help ensure that no one in Los Angeles County goes hungry.
To learn more about Food From The Bar, please visit LAFoodBank.org/foodfromthebar.