Andrews Kurth Delivers Gifts to Capital Area Food Bank in Time for Thanksgiving

AUSTIN – Andrews Kurth Austin Office Managing Partner Rex VanMiddlesworth announced today that the firm will donate $10,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) in support of their ongoing efforts to serve hungry individuals and families in Austin and 21 surrounding counties. The office will also provide food donations collected during its two week food drive along with the financial contribution.

“We’re pleased to make this donation to CAFB for the third year in a row,” said VanMiddlesworth. “The Food Bank does a fantastic job of serving thousands of hungry individuals and families in Austin and the surrounding area, and we’re proud to be part of that effort.”

For the food drive, Austin office attorneys and staff were asked to include needy families on their Thanksgiving dinner grocery list. Posters and flyers were put up around the office to promote the effort. In total, the office collected enough full meals for more than 25 families.

“It was really easy for us. Each year we have a Thanksgiving potluck lunch where everybody is able to bring their favorite dish,” said Toni Beasley, the Austin office administrator. “We just asked them to remember others less fortunate as they went out to buy their ingredients. The potluck is everyone’s favorite event and it was made more special this year by giving something back.”

“This donation could not have come at a better time,” said Judy Carter, CAFB’s President and CEO. “We’re experiencing an overall increase in need, plus an increase in the cost of doing business. We are so grateful for the donations, and, more importantly, for our partnership with Andrews Kurth.”

According to the CAFB web site, nearly one in five adults and one in four children in Texas are hungry:

• 41,000 children under the age of 18 in Travis County are confronted with food insecurity every day
• 82% of Food Bank Partner Agency recipients are food insecure
• 49% of recipients experience outright hunger. (Source: Hunger in America 2006: Central Texas Report, in association with America's Second Harvest) 
• 56% of Austin Independent School District (AISD) students are eligible for free or reduced lunch 

The web site is also a great source of information about how to help the food bank. Below are just a few ideas:

• Make an an online donation. For every $1 donated  the Food Bank can provide 5 meals to a hungry child, adult, or senior.
• Volunteer. Volunteer hours create the equivalent of nearly 20 full-time staff members each year.
• Sponsor a community event.  Government agencies, faith-based groups, businesses, media outlets, service organizations, or schools can raise money and food through special events. 

About Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
The mission of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. In its 25th year of service, the Food Bank currently provides food and grocery products to 370 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. In 2005, CAFB distributed more than 14 million pounds of food. For more information on the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas and its programs, visit www.austinfoodbank.org or call 512.282.2111.

About Andrews Kurth

For more than a century, Andrews Kurth LLP has built its practice on the belief that “straight talk is good business.” Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect define the firm’s relationships with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. With more than 400 lawyers and offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC, Andrews Kurth represents a wide array of clients in all areas of business law. For more information about Andrews Kurth, please visit andrewskurth.com.