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September 8, 2010

Food Bank initiates local drive against student hunger

CNHI

CHICKASHA — The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma invites Chickasha schools and students to participate in the sixth annual Students Against Hunger Food Drive. 

Food and fund donations collected from the drive, which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 29, will benefit First Baptist Church in Chickasha.

“We have been low on food,” said one partner agency.  “This food drive will help us serve those in need.”

The goal of Students Against Hunger is to engage the student population in raising awareness about the issue of hunger while collecting enough food and funds to provide 600,000 meals to feed the hungry.

Last year, the food drive collected a record-breaking 170,914 pounds of food and $53,678 in net proceeds, which provided 546,660 meals to hungry Oklahomans.

Most needed food items include: canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and rice and beans.  Monetary donations are also encouraged.  In fact, for every dollar donated to the food drive, the Regional Food Bank can provide seven meals to hungry Oklahomans.

Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the nation – ranking sixth in food insecurity.  Even though the Regional Food Bank provides enough food to feed more than 77,000 people each week, it is still not enough.

“Our partner agencies are reporting up to a 50 percent increase in the demand for food,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “We need the support from the community more than ever to help fight hunger in our state.”

The Students Against Hunger food drive is presented by the Oklahoma County Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, Devon Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation and United Way of Central Oklahoma.

For more information, contact Angie Gaines at (405) 604-7109.

 

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