North Shore Law Organization Raises Nearly $3,000 for Moraine Township Food Pantry During Thanksgiving Community Drive

North Shore Law®, an association of women attorneys serving the northern suburbs of Chicago, organized a Thanksgiving food drive for the Moraine Township Food Pantry in Highland Park, raising a total of $2,775 in combined monetary donations and food items to support families facing food insecurity across Lake County.

The fundraiser engaged 20 members of the organization, collecting food donations, direct monetary contributions, and matched donations from North Shore Law up to $1,000. The organization delivered a check for $1,875 along with collected food items to Moraine Township Food Pantry ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Photographed (left to right): Sara Hoffman, Lauren Beth Gash, Katarina Karac, Sue Berman, and Lesley Wallerstein.

Food insecurity has been rising across Illinois, with 12.4 percent of households experiencing food insecurity between 2021 and 2023. In the Chicago metropolitan area, the need is even more pressing. According to the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey conducted in July 2024, approximately one in five Illinois households are experiencing food insecurity, with 23 percent of households with children in the Chicago area lacking consistent access to enough food.

“The Thanksgiving food drive was an opportunity for our members to give back to the community during a time when many families are struggling,” said Lauren Cohen, President at North Shore Law and partner at Shapiro, Cohen & Basinger. “We’re grateful to partner with Moraine Township Food Pantry, which provides critical support to our neighbors facing food insecurity.”

Moraine Township Food Pantry serves income-qualified Township residents with fresh produce, meats, and non-perishable grocery items in Highland Park and surrounding communities, including Deerfield, Bannockburn, Highwood, Riverwoods, and Lincolnshire.

Members who participated in the food drive represent diverse practice areas across the North Shore legal community, including family law, estate planning, real estate law, zoning and land use, business law, and immigration law. The collective effort demonstrates the organization’s commitment to addressing community needs beyond the courtroom.

The fundraiser reflects North Shore Law’s ongoing commitment to community service and philanthropy in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Previous initiatives have included a diaper drive for migrant families in partnership with Share Our Spare, a Hope Kit packing party for breast cancer patients in collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and a clothing drive for Second Time Around (Chesed Chicago).

“Supporting local organizations like Moraine Township Food Pantry allows us to make a meaningful difference right in the communities where we live and work,” said Katarina Karac, VP and Chair of the Philanthropic Committee at North Shore Law and founding attorney at Birchwood Law LLC, a Chicago zoning and land use law firm. “Our members are committed to using their professional skills and resources to strengthen the North Shore community.”

About North Shore Law

North Shore Law® is an association of experienced women lawyers with offices in the northern suburbs of Chicago, including Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Evanston, Glencoe, Wilmette, and surrounding communities. North Shore Law attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized attention to their clients. The attorneys offer solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs. Members focus on a variety of practice areas, including Appeals, Bankruptcy, Business Law, Criminal Law, Debtor & Creditor Rights, Divorce & Family Law, Education Law, Elder Law, Elections, Civil Rights, Public Policy, Employment Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning, Immigration, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Mediation, Personal Injury, Property Tax Appeals, Real Estate, Taxation, and Zoning & Land Use.

For more information, visit www.northshorelaw.org.