Volunteers pitch in to provide lift to Capital Area Food Bank

By Brian Cox

The Primerus Business Institute’s 2022 International Summit in Washington, D.C., promised to deliver high-level, relevant programming, a special discussion panel featuring counsels to former U.S. presidents, and an evening dinner cruise on the historic Potomac River, but before all of that on the agenda came an opportunity for attendees to spend an afternoon volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank.

Hunger exists in every zip code, according to the largest food bank in the Washington metro area, which sources and distributes food for more than 45 million meals a year to people in communities across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Volunteers are essential to its successful operation.

The afternoon of service on April 7 was an opportunity for Summit attendees to collaborate and share a sense of contribution to the community.

Among those taking part in volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank were (in no particular order) Roger Barton, Ryan Billings, Primerus VP Services, Janna Dedman, Marc Dedman, Tina Denso, Juli Fournier, Peter Levy, Melody Lins, Patricia Barcellos, Michael Wythe, Brian O'Connell, CJ Persson, Bernie Resser, Kelly Swartz, David Villadolid, Amber Vincent, Mark Warzecha, Lamiaa Elfar, Gayle Gorvett, Ram Menon, Izak Rosenfeld, and Chase Victorson.

“Volunteering was a fun and rewarding way to spend the first afternoon of [the International Summit],” says Juli Fournier, the managing partner of Stephenson Fournier in Houston.

Fournier was able to reconnect with longtime Primerus friends, make some new acquaintances, and meet with general counsel from some outstanding companies on the bus ride to the food bank.

“By the time we arrived at the food bank, we were all eager to do something positive for the community while enjoying our time together,” Fournier says.

Approximately 40 volunteers assisted with sorting food donations and packing emergency and senior food boxes along a motorized conveyor belt as upbeat and energetic music played. Divided up into teams, the attorneys may even have gotten a little competitive as they worked to most efficiently unbox and unload frozen chicken and then pack boxes with food donations in an assembly line fashion.

Melody Lins, an associate in Mandelbaum Barrett's Corporate Law Practice Group in New Jersey, describes the experience as positive and was impressed by how well it was organized.

“I really enjoy getting to know Primerus members through shared activities like this, especially if it will benefit someone less fortunate,” she says.

Her comment was echoed by Ryan Billings of Kohner, Mann & Kailas, S.C. out of Milwaukee.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience doing our small part to support the important work of the Capital Area Food Bank,” says Billings. “Community service is one of Primerus’ Six Pillars for a good reason, and my wife and I were grateful to have the opportunity to serve a truly worthy cause.”

Brazilian attorney Patricia Barcellos Madeira appreciated the opportunity to interact with colleagues and clients in a setting other than across a dining table, in a meeting room, or on a conference call.

“The change of environment enables different reactions and we get to know each other on a more personal level,” says Barcellos Madeira, a partner with Terciotti Andrade Gomes Donato in Sao Paulo.

John Y. Pearce, of Gordon Arata Montgomery Barnett in New Orleans, says the participants were energized by “wonderful comradery and the delight of a cooperative team effort.”

“Our Primerus group had a great time getting to know each other while working together in a new environment,” Pearce says, “and all the while enjoying the satisfaction of delivering meaningful community service.”

Roger Barton and two other Primerus members help unload and unbox frozen chickens at the Capital Area Food Bank.