Thursday, November 19, 2015
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin’s sixth annual Feeding Oklahoma Drive, which ran October 1 through 31, exceeded its goal of raising 2 million meals. In total, the drive collected $301,159 in donations and 1,369,113 pounds of food, which will provide 2,598,723 meals for Oklahomans struggling with hunger.
“I am thrilled to thank so many generous Oklahomans for stepping up and donating to this year’s Feeding Oklahoma Drive,” Fallin said. “Because of your generosity, we will provide meals to our hungry neighbors in all 77 counties across the state. Just because the drive has ended and we have met our goal, please do not forget the continued importance of giving. As we enter the holiday season, let’s all remember the critical role our food banks play, and continue to stock their shelves.”
The Feeding Oklahoma Drive benefited the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and their partner agencies across Oklahoma. Over the last six years, more than 4,792,088 pounds of food and $1,813,577 has been raised through the Feeding Oklahoma Drive, which has provided more than 15,105,056 meals for hungry Oklahomans.
Food drop-off sites during the month-long drive included: BancFirst, Bob Moore dealerships, select AT&T locations, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and their partner agencies.
“Governor Fallin’s Feeding Oklahoma Drive means so much in the fight against hunger in our state,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. “Every dollar donated will provide five meals for Oklahomans who are struggling to keep food on their table during the difficult winter months. We are grateful for the past generosity of Oklahomans and hopeful for another season of giving.”
In Oklahoma, 656,000 residents are at risk of going hungry every day, with one in four children struggling with inconsistent access to food. The Regional Food Bank provides enough food to feed 116,000 Oklahomans every week, 37 percent of which are children. The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma alone distributes more than 346,000 meals per week. Demand increases through the winter months and holidays.
“Walking through our warehouse, you will see many more empty shelves than even a month ago,” said Eileen Bradshaw, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “We have fewer staple items for the hungry in our state. It is difficult, as our partners are feeling the dip in food supply, but not a dip in food requests. This drive comes at a critical time, and we are grateful for the generosity.”
Bivens joined Bradshaw in expressing their thanks to all the people of Oklahoma who made this year’s Feeding Oklahoma Drive a success.Once again chairing the statewide food drive for Governor Fallin was businesswoman Laure Majors with co-chairs Laura Watts, Brenda Jones Barwick and Dr. Leigh Goodson.
For more information on the Feeding Oklahoma drive or to make a donation, please visit www.feedingoklahoma.org.
About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is the state’s largest private domestic hunger relief organization. The nonprofit provides enough food to feed more than 116,000 hungry Oklahomans each week through a network of more than 1,250 schools and charitable feeding programs in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Since its inception in 1980, the Regional Food Bank has distributed nearly 600 million pounds of food to feed Oklahoma’s hungry. For more information, visit http://www.regionalfoodbank.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/regionalfoodbank or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rfbo.
About the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Founded in 1981, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is one of the largest, private hunger-relief organizations in Oklahoma. It distributes donated grocery items to 450 Partner Programs in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. These programs include emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, shelters and senior citizen centers. Collectively, they distribute more than 346,000 meals a week. In addition, the Food Bank helps raise public awareness about hunger and the role of food banking in alleviating hunger. For more information, visit okfoodbank.org.