Hunger relief is a serious issue—DC has the second-highest child food insecurity rate in the country—but fundraising for it can be done with a smile.

A joke-a-thon this week is how K&L Gates started its participation in the month-long Food From the Bar campaign (the DC legal community's effort to raise money for the Capital Area Food Bank). Here's former US AG and Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh, honorary chair of this year's campaign, kicking off the ceremonies.

These are the judges funny lawyers had to impress: K&L Gates administrative partner Dave Case, Capital Area Food Bank CEO Nancy Roman, and K&L Gates partner and master of ceremonies Phil Schulman. The top four contestants snagged prizes, as did the one with the worst joke.

Based on audience reactions, at least one lawyer was a success. Here's K&L Gates public policy practice co-chair Mark Ruge and CAFB senior director Christel Hair. CAFB serves 500,000 people directly through food distribution annually, distributing 45 million pounds of food. Since Food From the Bar started in '08, the DC legal community has raised enough to support one million meals.