FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2017

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Download photos from the 2016 Feeding Oklahoma Drive

Governor Mary Fallin Kicks off Feeding Oklahoma Drive Sunday

Donations needed to fight hunger across the state this holiday season

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin’s annual Feeding Oklahoma Drive kicks off on Sunday, October 1. The month-long drive benefits the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and their partner agencies across the state.

“While many of us can’t imagine not knowing where our next meal is coming from, it’s a reality for thousands of people in our state,” said Fallin. “This drive is an opportunity for all Oklahomans to come together and donate food and funds to ensure our hungry neighbors have food on their tables this winter. I know we can count on the giving spirit of Oklahomans to help.”

To participate in the drive, visit feedingoklahoma.org or email feedingoklahoma@regionalfoodbank.org.  Every dollar donated will provide the equivalent of five meals for Oklahomans struggling with hunger.  Food donations will stay local to help fight hunger in communities across Oklahoma. Non-perishable food items can also be donated at select BancFirst locations, Bob Moore Auto Group locations, the Community Food Bank and the Regional Food Bank. Most-needed items include canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned tuna, peanut butter, and rice and beans.

“This drive comes at a critical time of year before people start thinking about the needs of many of our hungry neighbors during the holidays,” said Eileen Bradshaw, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.  “We are grateful to Governor Fallin for addressing the issue of hunger in our state and mobilizing friends, businesses and organizations to provide healthy food for our neighbors struggling to put enough food on the table.”

Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the nation, with one in six residents struggling with hunger every day. The majority of clients served by the Oklahoma food banks are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes and working families who struggle to make ends meet each month.

“We’re happy to once again partner with Governor Fallin to help raise funds and food for Oklahomans with inconsistent access to food,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so appreciative that the Feeding Oklahoma Drive shines a light on the issue of hunger in our state. I want to offer a special thank you to the businesses and individuals who participate in this drive.”

Feeding Oklahoma is presented by Chickasaw Nation, Devon Energy and Walmart.  Additional sponsors include BP America, Dolese Bros. Co., Homeland, INTEGRIS Health, Lopez Foods and Love's Travel Stops.  It’s not too late to become a sponsor. For more information, please email feedingoklahoma@regionalfoodbank.org or call (405) 600-3174.  Once again chairing the statewide food drive for Fallin is businesswoman Laure Majors, with co-chairs Laura Watts and Brenda Jones Barwick.

About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization and a member of Feeding America’s network of Food Banks. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides enough food to feed more than 136,000 hungry Oklahomans each week through a network of more than 1,300 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 653 million pounds of food to feed Oklahoma’s hungry.  For more information, click here. 

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. With branches in Tulsa and McAlester, it distributes donated items to 450 Partner Programs in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. These programs include emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, senior centers and veteran initiatives. In addition, the food bank helps raise public awareness about hunger and the role of food banking in alleviating hunger. For more information, click here.   

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