UCLA School of Law has been a top participant in our annual Food From The Bar Campaign since 2012, a campaign that has raised more than $4 million to help feed those in need in our community. “I feel it’s an obligation for us a working professionals here at UCLA to be part of that, to give back, to help wherever we can,” says Steve Yu, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Dean at UCLA Law. “And I would definitely like to see other law schools get involved.”

The Food Bank relies on more than 30,000 volunteers on an annual basis in order feed our neighbors in need throughout Los Angeles County. UCLA Law consistently shows up with large volunteer groups at the Food Bank both during the campaign and throughout the year. “Getting out to volunteer at the Food Bank is probably one of my very favorite things to do,” says Denise Velasquez, Human Resources Director at UCLA Law. “Seeing all the hard work that people at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank do on a daily basis is amazing to me.”

Nancy Nguyen, a UCLA graduate and accountant at UCLA Law, has been an enthusiastic participant in the Food From The Bar campaign and even volunteered to be part of the campaign’s steering committee in 2018. “That has been a phenomenal blessing in itself,” she says. “I grew up with food insecure families as well. My parents immigrated from Vietnam and we kind of started from scratch here.” Nguyen explained that where there are hungry kids, there are usually parents making huge sacrifices to do best by their family. “This work impacts our community more than you know, so this is a cause that I have become very passionate about.”

UCLA Law’s commitment to the Food Bank’s work has made a tremendous impact over the years. We are grateful for their ongoing support and volunteer efforts.

Please watch this short video about UCLA Law’s culture of giving back.