Local Bar Association raises money for Murphysboro Food Pantry
The Jackson County Bar Association, an Illinois State Bar Association-affiliated bar association located in Carbondale, recently held its Ninth Annual Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Murphysboro Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated food pantry that serves all of Jackson County. Donations were collected from individual members throughout the month of December. Members, Michael Fiello, Alice Noble-Allgire and Craig Reeves challenged members to match their combined donation of $1,500, and the members rose to the challenge, collecting a total of $3,620 for the Food Pantry. This money will help the Food Pantry purchase food at discounted rates to distribute to local families and support the Pantry’s other programs.
The Murphysboro Food Pantry is the largest USDA food pantry in Jackson County. It estimates that it will have served more than 37,000 people by the end of 2015. Upon learning of the donation, Jane Williams, volunteer and a member of the Food Pantry’s Board of Directors, stated, “We are so grateful for the continued support of the Jackson County Bar Association. Their monetary donations, combined with donated canned and dry boxed items and the food I’m able to purchase through the USDA website, will fill monthly boxes for more than 600 families in the upcoming month. We are providing approximately 900 boxes of food each month during the holidays, so the JCBA has basically fed 2/3 of the hungry families we’ll see in the next 30 days. Since donations are down for 2015, this generosity is appreciated more than I’m able to adequately convey.” The Murphysboro Food Pantry always accepts monetary and food donations, as well as volunteers, and can be contacted at (618) 684-8258.
The Jackson County Bar Association is a voluntary organization of attorneys and law students that meets monthly and provides opportunities for socializing with other legal professionals, continuing education programs, and public service opportunities. Those interested in joining the bar association can contact Jonathan Mitchell, Secretary, at (618) 529-3000 or at: jmitchell@fmgr.com. Members are not required to have an office in or practice in Jackson County; all Illinois attorneys and law students are welcome to join. Dues are $60 per year for attorneys and $25 per year for law students.