Food from the Bar Campaign Raises 445,460 Meals for Children Facing Hunger

June 6, 2025 | ,

North Texas law and legal firms partner with North Texas Food Bank to fight summer hunger.

The North Texas legal community joined forces this spring for the annual Food from the Bar campaign, raising the equivalent of 445,460 meals to help children and families facing hunger during the summer.

Through food and funds raised plus volunteer hours, law firms and legal departments came together to support families as students are losing access to free- and reduced-price school meals during the summer. Since its inception in 2019, the campaign has now supported over 2.4 million meals.

“The legal community is making a life-changing difference for families across North Texas,” said Johnny Jenkins, NTFB Strategic Initiatives Manager who oversees the campaign. “Because of the meals they enabled, children will be able to enjoy their summer and return to school nourished and ready to learn.”

In total, Food from the Bar participants raised 940 pounds of food in 2025, they gave 212 hours of volunteer service and they raised $145,718.

The group celebrated its work and recognized some of the top participants in this year’s challenge during an event on May 28. The following firms were recognized:

  • Partner 4 Hope Award: Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC

Named for the original title of this campaign, the award recognizes the team that has earned the most points per capita. Through 32 gifts, this firm raised nearly $25,000, held a successful canned food drive, and had nine volunteers join in packing food at NTFB.

  • Power of Attorney Award: Vinson & Elkins

This award goes to the firm with the most points overall. Vinson & Elkins took home the award for the second consecutive year with 42 gifts totaling nearly $33,000.

  • New Counsel Award: Walters Balido & Crain

This firm registered for the first time just one day before the campaign kick-off and rallied support to donate over 200 pounds of food and raised over $3,600.

  • #RaiseTheBar Award: Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel

This firm was recognized for best utilizing social media to raise awareness of the campaign. They published 19 posts, with 15 shares, 10 reposts, and countless engagements like comments and likes.

  • Can-Do Award: Bank of America Legal Department

This award recognizes the team that collected the most physical pounds of food. In its first year of participation, Bank of America collected 341 pounds of food.

  • Collective Force Award: Kershaw Anderson King

With 16 teammates volunteering at NTFB, including during two Food from the Bar volunteer shifts, this firm collected the most volunteer points.

  • Broadest Appeal Award: Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

With 62 individual contributions, a canned food drive, a volunteer shift, social media posts, and an in-office speaking engagement with NTFB, this firm engaged in the most methods of participation this year.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the legal community for stepping up to help feed children during the summer,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “Their generosity and commitment have made a real difference, especially at a time when many kids lose access to regular meals.”

New data released from Feeding America shows that Texas leads the nation in hunger for the second year in a row, with 5.4 million people who are food insecure. The DFW area served by NTFB and Tarrant Area Food Bank have 1.3 million people facing hunger, which puts DFW at No. 3 among metro areas across the U.S., behind only L.A. and New York City.

In NTFB’s 12-county service area, 1 in 5 children face hunger, and the need for families and children is typically higher during the summer when students lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they receive at schools. For families already struggling to make ends meet, summer can bring the added stress of providing as many as 10 meals per week, per child.

“Summer should be a time for play, not hunger,” Trisha said. “Because of your support, we can provide kids with the nutritious meals they need to thrive.”

Find a full list of participating law firms here, and learn more about the campaign by visiting ntfb.org/food-from-the-bar.

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