Orange County firms launch 'Food from the Bar' campaign with $100K fundraising

Orange County's legal community is preparing to launch the 2025 'Food from the Bar' campaign on June 1, setting an ambitious $100,000 fundraising goal to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The fundraising goal for the campaign, in its ninth year, surpasses last year's total of $88,722 and aims to help meet growing demand for food assistance across the region.

The initiative is a friendly competition among local law firms and legal associations to raise funds for Second Harvest, which serves thousands of residents experiencing food insecurity. In fiscal year 2024, the nonprofit provided food to an average of 442,000 people each month, with demand surpassing 500,000 twice in the first 10 months.

"With the high costs of living, thousands of individuals, especially seniors, students, and families with young children, struggle to access or afford healthy food," said Melissa Gorin, Director of Marketing for Judicate West. "Second Harvest addresses this need by distributing fresh, nutritious food, including produce grown on their farming partnership, Harvest Solutions Farm. We're proud to support their mission and the meaningful impact they're making."

Gorin helped organize the campaign's kickoff event, held Thursday evening at the offices of Minyard Morris in Newport Beach. The gathering brought together firm leaders and campaign supporters ahead of the official start.

"We wanted to create a relaxed, in-person opportunity for firms and supporters to learn more about the cause and build momentum for this year's campaign," Gorin said.

Minyard Morris is leading the 2025 campaign as the title sponsor, joined by Judicate West, Rutan & Tucker LLP, CDF Labor Law, Dorsey & Whitney, and Troutman Pepper Locke LLP.

"This is something we, as a community, should all focus on," said Mark E. Minyard. "Nobody should go without food in today's world."

Since its inception in 2017, Food from the Bar has raised over $500,000 for Second Harvest, supporting efforts including the 40-acre Harvest Solutions Farm, where fresh produce is grown and distributed through the food bank's network.

Gorin, Minyard, William Schaal of Rutan & Tucker, and Judicate West Co-Founder Var Fox serve on the campaign's advisory board. This year's campaign runs from June 1-30, with a reception scheduled in July to recognize participating firms.