Lending a helping hand during COVID-19 Outbreak
It all begins with an idea.
Like so many annual events this spring, the Lawyers Helping Hungry Children (LHHC) luncheon was cancelled due to social distancing restrictions from the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, LHHC redirected its energy and continued in its commitment to fight hunger in Washington. LHHC has worked closely with one of its benefactors, Emergency Feeding Program (EFP), to meet the rapidly growing number of people who no can no longer afford to put a meal on their table. The EFP was founded with two simple goals: 1) to provide nutritional food; and 2) to ensure no one goes hungry. Since 1997, the EFP has collaborated with partner agencies and furnished nutritional food to those in need. The EFP began with three standard diet food bags: small, medium and large. Over the years, EFP has expanded its diet plans to include special needs diets, culturally sensitive diets and no cook diets for the homeless. EFP annually provides over 600,00 meals throughout King County.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, LHHC has volunteered in the warehouse at EFP sorting and packing large food bags. LHHC has also assisted with the small bags. Each small (snack) bag from EFP comes with a design, cartoon, personal message and/or riddle. With a little imagination and creativity, LHHC and friends has donated and created over 1,000 snack bags for children in temporary day care at public schools so their parent(s) may continue to work, and 750 snack bags for first responders who are working tirelessly to save those stricken with the COVID-19 virus and to keep the rest of our community safe.
LHHC also supports the other following organizations dedicated to fighting childhood hunger: Care which is a world-wide organization that annually serves 26 countries and feeds 10 million children; City of Seattle Summer Food Service Program which provides over 347,000 infant and children's meals and snacks throughout the Seattle area; and Northwest Harvest which provides basic food to infants and toddlers that will lead to healthy physical and cognitive development.
The COVID-19 outbreak has raised many questions as to what the future holds. However, one thing is for certain. LHHC intends to continue with its mission to stop childhood hunger throughout Washington and the rest of the world. For those interested in joining LHHC or learning more about volunteer opportunities through LHHC, please contact LHHC Chair, David Otto at dotto@martindavislaw.com or 206-906-9346.