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July 25, 2012

NEW REPORT: 810,034 meals distributed to Grady County to feed the hungry

The Express-Star

During Fiscal Year 2012, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma distributed 42.2 million pounds of food and product through a network of nearly 1,000 partner agencies and schools throughout 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

In Grady County alone, 972,041 pounds of food were distributed to the hungry through the Regional Food Bank’s 14 partner agencies, including: Cornerstone, First Assembly of God, First Baptist Churchm Fellowship of American Indians, Souther Oaks Church of Christ, First United Methodist, Snowhill Baptist Church, and Tuttle Ministerial Alliance.

“More and more of our neighbors are turning to the Regional Food Bank’s partner agencies for assistance,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank.  “We hear the disheartening stories of job loss, declining health and other struggles.  But there is almost always a glimmer of hope in these stories because, when someone receives the simple gift of food, their life can begin to change for the better.”

Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in the nation, where more than 675,000 people are food insecure.  The Regional Food Bank provides enough food to help feed more than 90,000 people each week, yet thousands more could benefit from the nonprofit.  The majority of those served by the nonprofit are children, seniors living on fixed incomes, and working families living paycheck to paycheck.

This year, the Regional Food Bank will tackle how to meet the increased demand while facing financial challenges and a reduction in food donations.

“Unfortunately, the cost for food, boxes, packaging materials and just about everything we use to distribute food to people has increased significantly,” said Bivens.  “Our supply of USDA commodities, while help supply food for emergency food pantries, has decreased 75 percent compared to this same time last year.  We normally maintain a six week supply of food in our warehouse but have seen that shrink to a 30 day supply over the last several months.”

Donors and advocates also play an important role in fighting hunger.

“The Regional Food Bank's administrative costs are below four percent, which means 96 cents of every dollar donated helps to directly provide food to Oklahomans in need,” said Bivens.  “Every dollar counts and provides five meals to those in need.”

Last fiscal year, thousands of volunteers saved the Regional Food Bank more than $2 million in labor. Many businesses, such as Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and Walmart, encourage employees to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank on a regular basis.  Many companies also offer to match their employee’s contributions when they support a nonprofit like the Regional Food Bank.

To join the fight against hunger, donate or volunteer today.  For more information call 405.972.1111 or visit regionalfoodbank.org.  Connect online with the Regional Food Bank at twitter.com/rfbo or facebook.com/regionalfoodbank.

 

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