Mary Fallin

Governor Kicks Off 4th Annual Food Drive

October 1, 2013
Release

Governor Mary Fallin’s Fourth Annual Feeding Oklahoma Food Drive kicked off Tuesday with the goal of raising 1.4 million meals to help feed hungry families, children, seniors and those affected by the May tornadoes. The month-long food drive will benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and their partner agencies across the state.

“Time and again, Oklahomans have proven themselves to be the most caring and giving individuals in the nation,” Fallin said. “Last year, Oklahomans from all 77 counties came together and donated over 2 million meals in time for the holiday season. This year, we can do even more for the hungry in our state.”

Oklahoma consistently ranks among the top 10 hungriest states in the nation, with more than 675,000 Oklahomans struggling with hunger every day. That number has been on the rise due to the tornado devastation across the state. The Oklahoma food banks provide enough food to feed more than 150,000 people each week. Demand increases during the holiday season.

“Governor Fallin’s Food 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 provides 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.”

Non-perishable food items can be donated at all BancFirst locations, Bob Moore dealerships, metro area Love’s Travel Stops, select AT&T locations, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and their partner agencies. Monetary gifts can be made online at www.feedingoklahoma.org. UPS will pick up donations from BancFirst and Love’s Travel Stop locations in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas and deliver those to the Oklahoma food banks.

Bivens stressed that the most-needed items include canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned tuna, peanut butter and rice and beans.

Once again chairing the statewide food drive for Governor Fallin is businesswoman Laure Majors with co-chairs, Laura Watts and Brenda Jones Barwick.

The food drive runs through Oct. 31 and Governor Fallin is encouraging businesses, organizations and individuals to make donations to her Feeding Oklahoma Food Drive in order to meet the needs of our hungry neighbors this winter. For a complete list of participating businesses, or to make a monetary donation online, visit www.feedingoklahoma.org. All donations are tax deductible and will benefit hungry Oklahomans. For more information, email [email protected].

About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is the state’s largest hunger relief organization. The nonprofit provides enough food to feed more than 90,000 hungry Oklahomans each week through a network of more than 1,000 schools and charitable feeding programs in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Since its inception in 1980, the Regional Food Bank has distributed more than 500 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 food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, shelters and senior centers. Collectively, they distribute more than 275,000 meals a week. In addition, the Food Bank helps raise public awareness about hunger and the role of food banking in alleviating hunger. In 2012, the Food Bank distributed more than 17.1 million pounds of food.

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