Join Us at the Bar!
The annual Food From the Bar campaign, held each June within Orange County’s legal community, invites law firms, attorneys and legal associates across Orange County to raise awareness and funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
This year, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, Minyard Morris, Cox Castle, Judicate West, Rutan & Tucker LLP, Keller Anderle Scolnick LLP, Palmieri Tyler, Audi Mission Viejo, Crowell & Moring, Regal Court Reporting and Traut Injury Law are coming together for the 10th annual campaign. Food from the Bar welcomes members of the Orange County legal community who are interested in joining the June campaign.
The month-long initiative supports Second Harvest Food Bank OC’s mission to provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to healthy food for children, families and seniors facing food insecurity, creating a foundation for community health.
The campaign is a friendly competition, with participants fundraising through Second Harvest’s Virtual Food Drive platform and volunteering their time. Food From The Bar offers the legal community an opportunity to unite in service, helping Second Harvest provide nutritious food to an average of 460,000 people each month.
“Firms across Orange County are coming together with a collective commitment to this cause. We will raise $200,000 this year on our way to an annual goal of raising $500,000 that will directly support those in need throughout our community,” said Mark Minyard, founder, managing partner, Minyard Morris and advisory board member, Food From The Bar. “Those dollars represent more than a goal—they represent meals on tables, relief for families under strain, and a tangible expression of the legal community’s commitment to serve.”
This year marks the initiative’s 10th anniversary. Since its inception, Food from the Bar has raised about $700,000. In 2025, 20 local law firms, associations and corporate legal departments rallied 190 donors to raise a record-breaking $172,000 and contributed 198 volunteer hours.
Looking Ahead
The inaugural 2026 Orange County Economic Opportunity Report was presented Feb. 17 at The Cove @ UCI. Spearheaded by the Orange County Community Foundation, the report provides business leaders, community partners and residents with actionable data to guide investment, policy and program development. The study uses the state’s 2025 California Jobs First Blueprint as its framework to assess Orange County’s current and projected economic landscape.
Dr. Wallace Walrod, chief economic advisor, Orange County Business Council, delivered an executive summary, followed by a panel discussion featuring Kathy Boyd, executive director, Orange County Department of Education; Stephanie Feger, program director, career education, workforce development, Coast Community College District; Kim Goll, president and CEO, First 5 Orange County; and Sue Parks, president and CEO, Orange County United Way. Breakout sessions focused on removing barriers to workforce mobility and stabilizing the childcare workforce.
Key findings emphasized aligning education programs with high-demand sectors; making targeted investments in technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing; closing equity gaps in education and career access; strengthening cross-sector collaboration; and fostering innovation to help education and workforce systems adapt to rapid economic and technological change.
The report was produced in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, OC Pathways, Coast Community College District, Orange County United Way, Anaheim Workforce Development Board, Santa Ana Workforce Development Board and the OC Workforce Development Board.
20 Years of Building Futures
TGR Foundation, founded by Tiger Woods in 1996, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its flagship TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim on Feb. 7 with a community event titled Beyond 20: Celebrating 20 Years of Driving Dreams Together.
The milestone marks two decades since the Learning Lab first opened its doors on Feb. 10, 2006 and is part of the foundation’s year-long 30th anniversary celebration, presented by EY.
The anniversary celebration welcomed students, families, alumni and community partners, including Los Angeles Angels, Automobile Club of Southern California, Genesis Motor America and Providence. Guests explored interactive STEAM activities, viewed a historical timeline and connected with staff and community leaders.
Carlos Leon, mayor pro-tem, Anaheim and alumnus, TGR Learning Lab, presented a city proclamation honoring the Lab’s impact.
“I am a product of the Learning Lab,” said Leon. “It helped me expand my horizons and see what’s possible. I wouldn’t be here today representing my community without this place.”
The TGR Learning Lab was created to provide a safe, inspiring space for students to “learn, grow and chase after their dreams.” Since opening in 2006, it has served more than 200,000 young people through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment, along with college access and career readiness programs.
Bits & Pieces
Orange County Wine Society has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year supporting students pursuing careers in enology, viticulture, wine-related studies and culinary arts across California, including Allan Hancock College, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Fresno, Sonoma State University, Napa Valley College, Orange Coast College and University of California, Davis, marking more than $1 million in scholarships since 1981 … Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Sherman Library & Gardens broke ground Feb. 26 on the most significant revitalization in its history, which will include a new Bell Tower Entrance, enhancements to key garden areas and the relocation of its restaurant to Pacific Coast Highway to dedicate the central garden space primarily to educational programming … Dana Point Women’s Club is celebrating 75 years of philanthropy through Project Foster, its flagship program that, since its creation in in 2023, has provided 3,500 foster and at-risk children with wheeled duffle cases valued at $250 filled with new clothing, bedding and full-size hygiene items, delivered directly to OC Social Services for distribution, giving children in crisis hope, love and tangible support.
