Brooklyn Bar Association lawyers and judges volunteer to feed needy in Park Slope

March 12, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

A group from the Brooklyn Bar Association was at CHiPS in Park Slope where they participated in a community service event feeding hot lunch to those in need. Pictured from left: Hon. Joanne Quinones, president of the Latino Judges Association; Carrie Anne Cavallo, president of the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association; Joy Thompson; and Anthony Vaughn. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Bar Association

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Members of the Brooklyn Bar Association participated in charity work feeding hot lunch to those in need at the Community Help in Park Slope (CHiPS) on March 3.

The group, which included Armena D. Gayle, Carrie Anne Cavallo, Hon. Joanne Quinones, Joy A. Thompson, Gil Perez and Anthony Vaughn, worked with volunteers from other organizations to prepare, cook and serve food.

Some volunteers also made coffee, rolled plasticware into napkins and served beverages. After they arrived at 9 a.m. to set up, guests began to arrive for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Armena Gayle helped organize the CHiPS event. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

“This was a humbling experience,” Vaughn said. “It was also a great opportunity for the members to get to know one another outside of the courtroom or 123 Remsen Street. You would be surprised how much you get to know someone while peeling potatoes and chopping vegetables.

“Each of us made new contacts with the other volunteers, one of whom was an attorney, and the BBA was encouraged to return again soon,” Vaughn continued. “More importantly, spending the day at CHiPS allowed us to serve the community that we represent. Our vision is this was the first of many future community service initiatives by the BBA.”

The outing was organized by both the Membership Committee, chaired by Vaughn, and the Diversity Committee, chaired by Thompson and Gayle, of the Brooklyn Bar Association.

Gil Perez was among those who participated in feeding hot lunch to those in need at CHiPS. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

David Chidekel, the president of the organization, commended the committee and said that he hopes that this is just the first of what will be regular community service events for the bar association.

“CHiPS is a community nonprofit organization on Fourth Avenue, providing a soup kitchen and a residence for homeless pregnant young women and homeless new mothers,” Chidekel said. “Their soup kitchen serves hundreds of meals daily for Brooklyn residents in need.

“It is great to see our members being committed to being active partners in the diverse communities of Brooklyn,” Chidekel said. “The volunteers helped make the weekend warmer and brighter for the residents and the diners at the soup kitchen.”

CHiPS is a group of volunteers who serve as many as 350 meals a day from the organization’s Fourth Avenue location. Approximately 80 percent of the food is donated by the Park Slope Food Coop. CHiPS also serves bagged lunches for guests to take with them, and gives out pantry bags of donated canned goods on Fridays.