Too often, it’s assumed that poverty and hunger aren’t really a problem in stable, industrialized democracies like the United States. The sad truth is: even here in Maryland – a wealthy state in a prosperous country – more than 781,000 people face crippling food insecurity.

That’s where the Maryland Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger comes in. Each year, the campaign raises thousands of dollars to benefit the Maryland Food Bank, which serves Baltimore County, Western Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, and the Capital Area Food Bank, which serves Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. This campaign relies on the generosity of Maryland’s legal community to meet the needs of their fellow citizens, needs that have grown more acute during the economic downturn.

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation is proud to be among the major donors to this worthy and compelling cause. Our commitment extends beyond making a significant financial contribution; Murthy Law Firm founder and president, Sheela Murthy, is a member of the campaign’s 2013 Honorary Committee, joining the likes of Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, as well as Governor Martin O’Malley, in supporting the Maryland Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger.

Help brighten up the New Year for a neighbor in need! You can donate online to the Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger.

Copyright © 2014, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Like so many of his colleagues, Murthy Law Firm attorney Kevin Andrews is an avid volunteer and a generous giver to worthy causes in the community. As an athlete and active outdoorsman, Kevin often combines his fundraising efforts with a good workout: overnight ruck marches to support wounded veterans, endurance races that challenge body, mind, and spirit, and even less-strenuous fun runs, like the Feed Annapolis 5-Miler that he did in August.

The race raised funds to provide food for needy children in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County schools – children who receive government-subsidized meals at school, but often have nothing to eat when they get home. It’s a bigger issue than most of us realize, in part because it’s under the radar: in a recent survey, more than 40 percent of elementary and middle school teachers said that children coming to school hungry – due to lack of sufficient food at home – is a serious problem in their classrooms!

The MurthyNAYAK Foundation was proud to sponsor Kevin and his team. More than 30 of Kevin’s Murthy Law Firm colleagues also made donations, in cash and in kind, to support the Feed Annapolis event. Kevin learned of the race through a friend, and contacted the race organizers to see how he could help. He was shocked to learn of the extent of childhood hunger in Annapolis, an affluent community with many hidden pockets of poverty.

According to Kevin, “One of the school counselors told me the kids also need hygiene products. He said a seven-year-old won a prize at school, and asked if he could get deodorant for his parents, instead of the candy! That just blew me away, so I eMailed all my colleagues at the firm and asked for donations, and offered to carry whatever they gave me. They contributed nearly 300 pounds of laundry soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and soap, all in less than 48 hours – which, to me, speaks volumes about their generosity!”

Kevin and his friends built a wooden platform and carried all 300 pounds of the donated items for the entire length of the racecourse – and to make it more entertaining, he raced in his Spiderman costume! The event raised $14,000, and contributed 400 boxes of food to help keep Annapolis children from going hungry. With the help of the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and his Murthy Law Firm colleagues, Kevin was able to do some serious good, but with a sense of fun, and obvious joy in giving!

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Murthy Law Firm founder and president, Sheela Murthy, was delighted to be among the multitude of supporters who turned out to support ASHA for Women at its 24th Anniversary Gala Celebration, held September 14, 2013, at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. ASHA for Women is a Washington-based nonprofit that helps meet the special needs of domestic violence victims from South Asia: it provides culturally appropriate multi-lingual support services, ranging from attorney referrals to psychological counseling. For South Asian women living in abusive circumstances, ASHA for Women is a lifeline, especially when barriers of language and culture might otherwise prevent them from getting the help they need.

At the gala, Ms. Murthy had the pleasure of introducing Women Off the Map, a six-minute documentary made by her husband, Vasant Nayak, which he filmed in the village of Neemrana in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India. The film vividly illustrates the women’s struggles to have their contributions – and their personal potential – recognized in a male-dominated, rural society.

Ms. Murthy also served as auctioneer for the fundraising portion of the evening, energizing the audience and spurring them on to increase their bids. Murthy spoke passionately about her own commitment to the cause, and why she hoped others would join her in this important work. And join her they did, opening their hearts – and checkbooks – and giving generously to ensure that ASHA’s services will continue to reach those who need it most.

The Murthy Law Firm and its charitable wing, the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, were platinum sponsors of this event, and proud to support the vital mission of ASHA for Women: giving hope and new life to survivors of domestic violence.

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

It was like Christmas in July for three Baltimore-area nonprofits that recently received several gently used computers and printers to support their good works in the community:

• The Children’s Guild of Baltimore, a pioneer in meeting the special needs of children with autism and other mental health challenges. It provides a full range of educational and support services for children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders. In 2012, The Children’s Guild honored Sheela Murthy for her outstanding humanitarian work and philanthropy.

• St. Luke’s Youth Center, whose after-school and “Safe Saturday” programs provide balanced meals, fellowship, computer access, and academic support to children in a West Baltimore neighborhood that’s been plagued by violence and drug trafficking. The MurthyNAYAK Foundation has also provided significant financial support to the St. Luke’s Summer Program.

• El Centro de Ayuda, an Annapolis-based nonprofit that helps Latino families to learn English, find work, and become more self-sufficient, in pursuit of the American dream. Its programs, services, and funding are dedicated to assisting lawful permanent residents, legal immigrants, and new U.S. citizens.

Until recently, the donated equipment was in use at the Murthy Law Firm. To stay on the cutting edge of technology, the Murthy Law Firm replaced its computers earlier this year, upgrading to an advanced touchscreen system. The “old” computers – actually of recent vintage – were readied for their new lives in service to the above organizations.

It’s one more way the Murthy Law Firm and the MurthyNAYAK Foundation are working together to “pay it forward.” As a firm that pioneered the use of digital technology to serve our clients better, we know technology matters, and we are proud to support these worthy organizations – and we’re delighted to contribute to their efforts to bridge the digital divide!

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland held its annual fundraising gala, the 2013 Memory Ball, at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore on April 13th. This year’s theme was “Dancing Stars,” featuring several prominent local personalities who performed a ballroom or Latin-style dance – à la ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” – each competing to raise the most “votes” for their evening. At one dollar per vote, the dancers raised more than $338,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association!

Mary Pat Seurkamp, president emerita of Notre Dame of Maryland University, was among the community leaders who generously volunteered to be “Dancing Stars” at the event. The MurthyNAYAK Foundation was delighted to be among Ms. Seurkamp’s sponsors, helping her to raise nearly $20,000 for our local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which attacks the brain and leads to problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s not only affects the estimated 5.4 million people in the United States who have the disease, but some 15 million more Americans who are their caregivers. Although medication is available to palliate the symptoms, there still is no way to prevent, cure, or even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland helps Alzheimer’s patients and their families to find appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care to deal with this devastating illness. We are proud to support this important work, and we congratulate our good friend, Mary Pat Seurkamp, for her grace on the dance floor and her success in helping a very good cause!

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Sheela Murthy’s friend and colleague, Kathy Snyder, will walk in the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Cleveland, to raise money to fight breast cancer. Ms. Snyder is taking this walk to show support for her sister-in-law, Donna, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. The MurthyNAYAK Foundation is pleased to support Ms. Snyder’s worthwhile efforts.

In her day job, Kathy Snyder is president and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the state’s foremost business advocacy organization. As a longtime Chamber member and the current Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Sheela Murthy could not be happier to help.

Funds raised by the Komen Foundation support a global breast cancer research program that has already invested more than $2.2 billion in the search for a cure. There’s no disputing the need for more research, and more funding to fuel it: nearly 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2013 alone. The 3-day breast cancer walks also bring in a significant share of the funds needed to provide community support services for breast cancer patients and their families, helping to meet the financial, social, and medical needs of our neighbors.

Ms. Snyder has already raised more than $5,000 in sponsorships for her 3-day walk, which takes place August 1-3 in Cleveland, Ohio. We hope you will share this article with others, and consider making a donation on Kathy’s sponsorship page. Go, Kathy, go!

Copyright © 2013, MurthyNAYAK Foundation. All Rights Reserved.