In McGuireWoods-ConAgra Foods PB&J Challenge, Firm Makes Nearly 8,000 Sandwiches for Needy

Lawyers in the Chicago office conceal Chicago Cubs regalia beneath their aprons. They found time to make sandwiches on the day when the Cubs were honored with a parade in honor of their first World Series title in 108 years. (Photo by Beth Krajelis)

McGuireWoods and client ConAgra Foods hit a new high for their annual PB&J Challenge partnership as more than 430 lawyers and staff in 22 firm offices made nearly 8,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the needy and homeless.

Spanning nine time zones on two continents, the event has grown each of its five years and represents an ongoing partnership with ConAgra Foods in the fight against hunger. The sandwiches were sent to homeless shelters and other charities in 19 U.S. cities and in Brussels and London.

This year’s unofficial total of 7,993 topped the 2015 total of 7,112 by nearly 11 percent and exceeded the 2016 goal of 7,210.

McGuireWoods’ sandwich artists this year used more than 600 pounds of Peter Pan brand peanut butter, which is manufactured by ConAgra Foods. The Charlotte office was the most prolific producer, making 1,890 sandwiches, one-fourth more than the projected total and 315 sandwiches more than a year ago, when it also led all offices. Richmond was the runner-up with 615 sandwiches.

Not every office used peanut butter and jelly — a distinctly American pairing. For example, the London office produced 200 meal bags consisting of sandwiches made of either peanut butter or cheese and pickle along with a bottle of water, a nut bar and a bag of crisps. The Brussels office prepared ham and cheese sandwiches.

In the Chicago office, meanwhile, lawyers and staff clad in blue and red squeezed in time for sandwich-making around watching a triumphal homecoming parade on nearby Michigan Avenue celebrating the first World Series championship in 108 years for the city’s beloved Cubs.

The PB&J Challenge received media coverage from the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 5 and was a cover story in the Nov. 7 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

In Richmond, sandwich chefs combined for a total of 615 sandwiches. From left are Sharronda Jones, Stacie Pennington, Judy Robertson and Louise Lynch. (Photo by Bob Lewis)

2016 McGuireWoods-ConAgra Foods PB&J Challenge Results