London Lawyers Feed the Hungry
London Lawyers Feed the Hungry is supported by a group of committed volunteers who have made the issues of homelessness, poverty and hunger in their community a personal mission of action.
These volunteers represent lawyers, the judiciary, law enforcement personnel, crown attorneys, courthouse staff and other stakeholders. Together, they are making sure London and Middlesex-area residents have access to meal or food programs in times of need.
The London Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program has provided more than $25,000 annually to most of London's "soup kitchens" and meal programs over the past decade. A Sunday night soup kitchen is also led and staffed once per month by enthusiastic volunteers.
We also provide direct funding for various meal programs, support community gardens where Londoners of modest means can grow their own food in City parks, and support classes to help low-income Londoners cook more economically and nutritiously. We help various food programs ensure adequate nutrition for children from poor families, as well.
Our signature fundraiser, Courthouse Rocks, showcases the remarkable musical talent of London's lawyers every spring, and has been organized by David Kirwin from the beginning, with the generous support of "The Honest Lawyer" restaurant and John Downing. All of London's major firms have strongly supported us. Stalwart members of the local bar such as Chris Bentley and Dan Mailer have performed every year, along with lots of up-and-coming legal stars!
By contributing more than a quarter of a million dollars to help feed London's most unfortunate citizens over the past decade, our bar has made a substantial difference.
Claude Pensa, Q.C. & Elaine Pensa – Founders
Jeff Schlemmer – Chair
| Rod Dale | Erin Rankin Nash |
| Kelly Anne Fares Bannon | Laura Geddes |
| Brenda Fuhrman | David Kirwin |
| Ted Kalnins | J. Murray Neilson, Q.C. |
| Mana Khami | Jennifer Quick |
| Kristin Ley | David Thompson |
| Dan Mailer | James Zegers |
| Jennifer McGill | Judy Rich |
| Terrah Smith |
Our Charity Partners
- London Community Resource Centre - collective kitchens serving 12 local hospitality meals
- Ark-Aid Mission - daily hospitality meal program
- Hunger Relief Action Coalition – hot meal programs throughout the city
- Canadian Mental Health Association - London Coffee House
- Street Connection – food for impoverished homeless street youth
- Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre – child youth program
- Unity Project - for homeless relief in London London
- Intercommunity Health Care – milk for families program
- Sisters of St. Joseph of the Diocese of London – soup kitchen
- Regional HIV/AIDS Connection – Country Cupboard Foodbank program
- Boys & Girls Club of London – nutrition program
- South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre – youth programs and services
- St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre – milk supplies for daily breakfasts
- St. Paul's Cathedral – monthly hospitality meal
Granting Guidelines
London Lawyers Feed the Hungry awards grants to London and Middlesex-area charitable organizations with mandates to provide hunger relief services to individuals and families in need. Local agencies can apply for a grant by filling out the Grant Application Form and returning it to the attention of Jeff Schlemmer by email jeffschlemmer@hotmail.com or by fax (519) 438-3145.
back to topProgram Highlights
For January to December 2022, London Program revenues totalled $22,028.
To view dollar values in the chart above, hover over one of its sections.
view revenue data
To operate and fundraise the Program for the period of January to December 2022, a total of $37,663 was spent. To view dollar values in the chart above, hover over one of its sections.
To view dollar values in the chart above, hover over one of its sections.
view expense data
Volunteers
Come out and join the team! The monthly Law Society Foundation's London hospitality meals would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. Meals are served at St. Paul’s Cathedral located at 472 Richmond Street, London, Ontario. If you would like to volunteer or require further information, contact Marshall Mayne mmayne@cplaw.com.
The London Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program is always looking for enthusiastic individuals willing to contribute to their community in a concrete way. Vvolunteers are needed to help with meal service, 4-5 volunteers for each shift to complete meal preparations from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, and assist with serving and clean up from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
If you are interested, please contact:
Courthouse Rocks: dkirwin@lawhouse.ca (519) 679-8800
LLFTH Committee: jeffschlemmer@hotmail.com (519) 438-2890
Volunteer relationship with the Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program
The relationship between volunteers and the Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program (the Program) does not create a legally binding contract. The Program embraces volunteerism on the understanding that volunteer services are received at its sole discretion, and that any volunteer’s relationship with the Program may be terminated by either side at any time for any reason.
Supporters
In the spring of 2003, London litigation lawyer Claude Pensa and his wife Elaine returned home from a visit to Toronto's Osgoode Hall knowing their lives had changed.
Volunteers in the London and Middlesex area for many years, Claude and Elaine had visited the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program and resolved to help establish a similar community hunger relief service for their region.
The Pensas issued a call to action through their personal and professional networks, and within the year London Lawyers Feed the Hungry was formed. Though Elaine passed away in early 2005, Claude has continued the work they started together.
Now semi-retired from active practice and doing mediation and arbitration through ADR Chambers, Mr. Pensa devotes considerable time to the program and other community charitable work.
Others, like criminal lawyer Murray Neilson, and Brenda Fuhrman, fellow lawyer, carry on the good work in order to ensure the community meal programs continue in the future, and that Lawyers Feed the Hungry will always have a home in London.
back to topUpcoming Events
Next Hospitality Meal | Sunday, March 22, 2020
Volunteers are needed for the next London Lawyers Feed the Hungry hospitality meal, Sunday, March 22 at St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond Street. Help is needed with both meal preparation between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm and to assist with service and clean-up between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
Your help is much appreciated. To lend a hand, please send an email to llfth2106@gmail.com with your name, contact details and the time you'd prefer to volunteer.
MLA's Roller Skate Day
Get your groove on at the Middlesex Law Association's new social event: Roller Skate Day at the North London Optimist Community Centre. Everyone is welcome and admission is free although donations will be accepted for London Lawyers Feed the Hungry.
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2020
Time: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Place: North London Optimist Community Centre
Skate rentals are available or feel free to bring your own. Children under 18 must wear a helmet.
Courthouse Rocks 2020 | Lawyers in Love
Join us Friday, April 17th for Courthouse Rocks 2020 and cheer on the wealth of talent from the London legal community. Tickets are avaialble for purchase at the Middlesex Law Association (MLA) Practice Resource Centre or from Courthouse Rocks organizers.
An annual fundraiser in support of London Lawyers Feed the Hunger, proceeds support organizations working for hunger relief and those in our community who need our help the most.
Date: Friday, April 17, 2020
Place: Rum Runners | The London Music Hall
Time: Doors Open at 5:00 pm
Tickets: $25 each
Past Events
Courthouse Rocks XVI
The 16th annual Courthouse Rocks, was held April 26, 2019. An annual fundraiser featuring many London lawyers, this year's event raised another $19,000 in support of London Lawyers Feed the Hungry and hunger relief, supporting organizations that work directly with people who need our help the most. Thank you to our participants, sponsors and generous donors who have now helped raise just over $250,000 since this wonderful event began.