They’re used to battling out in the courtroom and fiercely supporting their clients in all areas of the law. Now, five Metro Detroit law firms are turning their attention to another fight – the fight to end hunger in our community.

Butzel, Bodman Attorneys and Counselors, Hertz Schram PC, Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C., and Keinbaum, Hardy, Viviano, Pelton and Forrest are among the local law firms participating in the first ever Great Thanksgiving Food Fight. The friendly competition aims to collect food and funds to help feed more than 2,300 families in need in our community this Thanksgiving.

“Each pound of food and dollar raised counts as one point,” explained Lighthouse Fund Development Manager Emily Osmialowski. “At the end of the competition, the total number of points each team gets will be divided by the number of people in their firm. So, the size of the firm doesn’t impact their ability to win. The firm with the most points will win the title of Lighthouse 2022 Law Firm of the Year.”

The event began with an idea from Lighthouse board member Jonathan Burleigh. He mentioned his law firm was planning a Thanksgiving food drive, then suggested a competition among law firms to increase the volume of food collected and dollars raised. That’s how the Great Thanksgiving Food Fight was born.

“We have been supportive of Lighthouse and its mission for years,” said Joseph Bellanca, a partner with Hertz Schram PC. “We’re excited to continue that support because their success stories have been incredible and inspirational. There are families that have been able to come out of terrible times of homelessness and children who are now about to celebrate the holidays who would not normally be able to. The impact of Lighthouse’s work is pretty awesome.”

“Lighthouse is an important community resource helping ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food every day,” said Paul M. Mersino, attorney and shareholder at Butzel and Trustee of its Charitable Trust. “We are delighted to participate in the 2022 Great Thanksgiving Food Fight competition among local law firms. We have food collection boxes in each of our Michigan offices. Butzel employees also have generously donated online since we began the competition. We fully expect to exceed our goal so that our friends and neighbors will have a healthy meal this Thanksgiving.”

Throughout the year, Butzel supports many local organizations, charities, and community activities in an effort to give back to the city where it has been located in for 168 years.

Since the start of COVID-19, Lighthouse and our dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly to provide emergency food to up to 5,000 people per week. We are currently collecting canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, pie filling, dessert mixes, boxed stuffing, canned fruit, and boxed macaroni and cheese.

“This time of year, when we’re all so grateful for everything we have and the time we spend with our families, please remember there are people in your community that need your help today and throughout the year,” said Lighthouse CEO Ryan Hertz. “As inflation continues to put pressure on so many of the folks that we serve, your help is critical this holiday season. We are grateful to the members of our local legal community who are stepping up and participating in this fight. It will truly make an impact.”

To learn more about the Great Thanksgiving Food Fight, to participate, or to make a donation, visit: https://my.lighthousemi.org/FoodFight. The competition runs through November 11. Good luck to all of this year’s participants. In the end, this is a fight we’ll ALL win.