TERRE HAUTE —
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller threw several punches at hunger on Tuesday when he visited a local food bank to launch the fourth annual March Against Hunger food drive competition.
Zoeller donned boxing gloves and battered away at a punching bag held steady by John Etling, director of Catholic Charities Food Bank. Their actions may have been dramatic, but to Zoeller and Etling, it was an illustration of the battle to find food that many Hoosiers face each day.
The Catholic Charities Food Bank is one of 11 regional food banks in Indiana that partner with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry or FIsH – an organization which helps link Indiana’s resources to feed those in need. For the fourth consecutive year, the Indiana Attorney General’s office has joined FIsH and the Indiana State Bar Association to help challenge law firms to donate goods and raise money for these banks.
“Food banks across the state have been struggling to keep up with the needs of the hungry that have increased due to the long recession,” Zoeller said. “For the fourth year, I am calling upon the members of my profession to step up and do what attorneys do best – serve the interests of others. This is no time to get weary and let up, so I’m doubling our efforts to include a four-week push for donations instead of two, as in years past. I’ve been very proud of the support by the many members of the Indiana State Bar Association and I hope for even more contributions this year to meet the greater need.”
Etling said the food bank distributes the equivalent of nearly 2 million meals each year to about 75 other charitable agencies in seven west-central Indiana counties. These agencies include soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, senior housing facilities, youth day care centers, church camps and youth residential facilities.
“We are grateful to the Attorney General’s office for their effort to raise awareness and help get food into Indiana food banks,” Etling said. “There are several law firms right here in our community that are tremendous advocates and servants to their clients. This is yet another way that lawyers can give back to make our local community better, stronger and more hopeful for people who are struggling with hunger.”
In 2011, 50 law firms in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio participated in the March Against Hunger and donated more than 6,000 pounds of food and raised $27,574 – which combined is the equivalent of 72 tons of assistance.
“The food provided through drives like March Against Hunger and other sources help our food banks serve Hoosier families, many of whom are visiting pantries more and more as a supplemental source for monthly food shortfalls,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of FIsH.
This year the “Attorney General’s Cup” will be presented to the firm in each of the four categories that collects the most donations. The categories include large firms of 50 or more; medium firms of 10 to 49 people; small and solo practitioners of one to 9 people; and public/nonprofit firms.
To sign up to participate in this year's statewide competition, go online to www.in.gov/attorneygeneral and click on the “March Against Hunger” billboard or contact the Attorney General’s Office at (317) 234-6668. Totals and winners will be announced shortly after the March 31 donation deadline.
Those not employed by a law firm can contribute nonperishable foods at a participating firm listed at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral or a FIsH food bank listed at www.feedingindianashungry.org.
News
Related Photos
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Take that, hunger! Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller throws a right into a punching bag to symbolically knock out hunger after a press conference at Catholic Charities Tuesday. Holding the bag is Catholic Charities Director John Etling.
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Fighting hunger with a smile: Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller jokes with John Etling (center), director of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, during a press conference to kick off March Against Hunger on Tuesday at the food bank.
Discussion
Zoeller helps punch down hunger
Indiana attorney general in town to launch fourth March against Hunger
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