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RegiOnal FOOd Bank OF OklahOmaBoard of directors

PResidentRobert Clements, Clements Foods CompanyViCe PResidentderek gill, First United Bank tReasUReRJohn Williams, Chef’s Requested Foods, inc.

seCRetaRYtressa madden, Oklahoma state department of healthtim Bellanti, associated Wholesale grocerssam erwin, U.s. FoodserviceJim Brooks, OsU – Food and agriculture Products Research and technology Centerkirk R. hagan, around the Clock Freightliner, inc.mark harsha, harsha Productionstim hopkins, Community leaderJames R. hopper, Oklahoma Restaurant associationdavid lopez, lopez Foods incorporatedRob mclaughlin, advance Food CompanyRobert Ozburn, Wal-mart storessharon neuwald, Consultantsteve Riggs, national association of letter Carriers avis scaramucci, nonna’s euro-american Ristorante & Bar

COUnselmichael e. Joseph, mcafee & taft

RegiOnal FOOd Bank FOUndatiOn Board of directors

PResidentmartha a. Burger, Chesapeake energy CorporationViCe PResidentmarian moon, Community leadertReasUReRg. Rainey Williams, Jr., marco Capital group, alP

seCRetaRYCynthia dutton, Community leader

Past PResidenttony Boghetich, Omar B. milligan enterprises

diana Beeler, Community leaderCindy Batt, arvest BankRobert Clements, Clements Food CompanyPat garrett, garrett and Companyderek B. gill, First United BankRay haefele, tyson Foods (Retired)kirk R. hagan, around the Clock Freightliner, inc.ed kelley, the OklahomanXavier niera, Rooney holdings, inc.Christina nihira, Freelance WriterClark W. nye, nye investment Co., llCmary e. Reneau, Community leadersteven P. Rhines, the noble FoundationRandy Royse, nBC Banksue timberlake, Community leadermarian tisdal, Community leaderVince White, devon energy

COUnselmichael e. Joseph, mcafee & taft

Food Link Board of directors

PResident michael e. Joseph, mcafee & taft

ViCe PResidenttony Boghetich, Omar B. milligan enterprises

seCRetaRYsherri Price, Community leader James C. Buchanan, iii, gerald l. gamble Company kirk R. hagan, around the Clock Freightliner, inc.mary e. Reneau, Community leadermarcus salazar, mmigayle B. Wynne, Carlisle Collection

From

The

dir

ecTo

r

rodney W. BivensExEcutivE DirEctor

Dear Friend,

The regional Food Bank of oklahoma is nearing its 30th

anniversary of service to the hungry in our community. As we look

forward to celebrating this important milestone, i know that our work

to feed those in need simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of

friends like you. i’m more grateful than ever to have your partnership as

we continue to fight hunger.

The difficult economy has affected oklahomans from many

different neighborhoods and many different backgrounds. Parents who

have never needed help with food before are turning to Food Bank

partner agencies to feed

their kids this holiday

season. Meanwhile,

families who were already

living on the poverty line

are being pushed further

over the edge.

That’s why i’m so thankful for friends like you. Your support brings

hope in the form of food to thousands of families, children and seniors

here in oklahoma – and just in time for the holidays. At a time when

no one should go without, your generosity ensures families in need will

have food on their tables.

This holiday season, we’re preparing to serve more of those in need

than ever before. Thanks to the gifts of many generous friends, our

volunteer center expansion is now complete. The additional space will

allow us to distribute more nutritious food to our hungry neighbors

throughout oklahoma.

Thank you for all you do. i hope you and your loved ones have a

wonderful holiday season!

“in the end we are not measured by what we have, but by what we give to one another.” – Julie salamon,

Rambam’s ladder

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ronda has lived through more pain and hardships than most people experience in a lifetime.

Having grown up in an abusive

home, ronda dreamed of having a

family of her own some day where she

felt safe and loved. But she wasn’t so

lucky. She left an abusive marriage in

hopes of finally making a better life

for herself. She wanted somewhere she

could spend time with her two grown

children and three young grandkids.

Living on her own has proven to

be harder than she imagined. ronda

has had to stay with her sister and even sleep in her

truck to make ends meet. She finally settled into an

apartment - but living expenses aren’t the only obstacles

she’s had to hurdle.

ronda has been working toward a bachelor’s degree

for the past several years. She was just four classes shy

of graduating when she fell and suffered a severe head

injury. She had to put her dream of earning a degree on

hold for months while she recuperated, and she also had

to leave her job.

Now ronda’s only income is in the form of Social

Security – just $415 a month. She says this is hardly

enough to pay for rent, utility bills, medications and

food each month. More often than not, she just doesn’t

get enough to eat. With the holidays approaching, the

you help oklahomans in need Through Life’s Trials

last thing she wants to think about is having to eat

the cold contents of her pantry in place of a holiday

meal with her family.

“Sometimes a cold can of green beans is better

than nothing,” she says, knowingly.

that’s why she’s so grateful for the help she’s

received from the Lord’s Harvest, a partner agency

of the regional Food Bank in El reno. thanks to

your gifts to the Food Bank, ronda and hundreds of

other oklahomans in need can take home nutritious

groceries whenever they need them. She can even get

special holiday food here.

“thank you!” she says sincerely. “if it weren’t for

you, i would have gone hungry. My future is going to

be brighter.”

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Y o u ’ r e G i v i n g H u n g r y P e o p l e S o m e t h i n g t o C e l e b r a t e

givi

ng

hope

4

Thank you To The following groups for doing Their parT To fighT hunger here in cenTral and wesTern oklahoma:cresT 21sT inviTaTional golf TournamenTCrest Foods raised $21,325 and donated five truckloads (194,000 pounds) of food to the Food Bank! Thank you, CREST!

sTudenTs againsT hungerThe Students Against Hunger Food drive wrapped up on October 30th after more than 125 metro and rural elementary, middle and high schools participated in this annual youth-driven food drive. Results from the food drive will be posted on our website as soon as all the food is collected and weighed. Thank you to the Young Lawyers Association, Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and United Way for their support of this event.

celebriTy councilThe Food Bank would like to thank the following individuals for using their voices in the fight against hunger by joining our Celebrity Council: singer/songwriters Graham Colton, K.C. Clifford and Sherree Chamberlain; Mayor Mick Cornett; Project Runway fashion designer Kayne; Magic 104.1 KMGL radio personality Jeff “Magic Man” Roberts; Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson; and Biggest Loser contestants Neill and Amanda Harmer.

volunTeer cenTer dedicaTionThank you to all the individuals, corporations and foundations who supported the Food Bank’s capital campaign to build the new Volunteer Center expansion to the Donald W. Reynolds Distribution Facility. The Volunteer Center was dedicated in September as part of Hunger Action Month. The additional warehouse, freezer/cooler space and volunteer workspace will allow the Food Bank to distribute more food to more Oklahomans. We invite you to come by for a tour any time!

ciTy, sTaTe and federal employeesWe would like to thank all the dedicated City, State and Federal employees who took the time to tour the Regional Food Bank and attend agency fairs and speaking engagements. Your donations provide us with sustainable funding for our many services. Remember, our Designation Code for the Combined Federal Campaign is 67922. Our Designation Code for the State Charitable Campaign and the Heart of the City Campaign is 9220.

new websiTe launches!Please take a moment to visit our completely re-designed website at www.regionalfoodbank.org. You can now donate online and even create your own personal fundraising page!

make sure To save The daTe for These special evenTs!

Thunder food drive aT The ford cenTer | November 15, 2009Join the Regional Food Bank at the Ford Center to cheer on the Oklahoma Thunder as they take on the L.A. Clippers. Bring a non-perishable food donation to the game and receive special discounts on future Thunder tickets!

chefs’ feasT | March 4, 2010 Join us for the 23rd annual Chefs’ Feast, presented by Chesapeake Energy, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This delectable food and wine tasting event benefits the Regional Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids program. To reserve your patron table, contact Angie Gaines at 405-604-7109 or [email protected].

pound for pound challenge | January - May 2010Visit www.pfpchallenge.com to sign up to lose weight and help feed the hungry. For every pound lost, a pound of groceries will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to fight hunger in our state!

parTners in hope Partners in Hope is a special group of Regional Food Bank supporters that provide sustainable funding to address the needs of hungry Oklahomans. Consider becoming a member of Partners in Hope. Your pledge of $1,000 or more for five years provides a foundation for the Regional Food Bank today and into the future. For more information, contact Jennifer Arlan at 405-600-3155 or [email protected].

Thank you To The following organizaTions and individuals for Their generous gifTs To The food bank: •Anadarko Presbyterian Church •Bank of America •The Philip Boyle Foundation •Clyde R. Evans Charitable Trust •The First National Bank & Trust Co. - Chickasha •Raymond H. & Bonnie B. Hefner Family Fund •Steve and Kelli Hurst - Edmond •Made in Oklahoma Coalition, Inc. •Mayflower Congregational Church - Oklahoma City •Moore Homebuilders Association •The Nix Foundation •NorthHaven Church, Inc. - Norman •Elmer Smith Oil Company - Clinton •Sonic Restaurants •Top of the World - Norman











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After nearly five decades of marriage, Laverda has a hard time remembering what her life was like before she became a wife and mother. She spent most of her adult years married to the love of her life, raising their three boys.

But several years ago, Laverda’s husband passed away. Not

only has she had to deal with the unspeakable pain of losing

her lifelong companion, she’s had to learn how to live on her

own again after almost 50 years of marriage. Years later, she still

misses her husband terribly. in fact, she still wears her wedding

rings every day.

Laverda has been retired since 1983, so her only income

is Social Security and a very small retirement check. She’s in

good health right now, but over the years she’s survived cancer, a

heart attack and a stroke. She still has difficulty walking and has

to take eight medications per day. But living on a fixed income

makes it nearly impossible to pay for utility bills, medical

expenses and nutritious groceries each month.

That’s why she’s so grateful that she can come to the

South oklahoma Nutrition Program in Ardmore for a

filling lunch five days a week. Thanks in part to your gifts,

this partner agency of the regional Food Bank of oklahoma

serves a healthy meal each weekday and delivers meals to

about 180 homebound seniors in the area.

Laverda is so glad to know she has a place to eat that

helps stretch her budget – especially now that the holidays

are here. She loves having a place right here in her hometown

that provides good food and fellowship during the holiday

season and year-round.

“i think it’s wonderful that you haven’t forgotten us

elderly people!” she says to donors like you. “i’m really

grateful for all you do, and i just say, ‘thank you.’”

You’re bringing hope to so many central and western

oklahomans in need this holiday season. Thank you for

your compassion!

in September, The regional Food Bank of oklahoma was honored to welcome Kevin concannon, under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and consumer Services at the u.S. Department of Agriculture, to the Donald W. reynolds Distribution center.

Mr. concannon took time to tour the Food Bank and learn more about how, together with our partner agencies, we’re working to fight hunger in oklahoma.

The regional Food Bank contracts with the oklahoma Department of Human Services to distribute uSDA commodities to eligible charitable feeding programs. Nearly 6.5 million pounds of canned vegetables, fruits, juices and dry product such as pasta, rice and beans were distributed through this program in our last fiscal year.6

seniors in need have hope for the holidays

UsdA Under secreTAry kevin concAnnon visiTs The regionAL Food BAnk

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon poses for a quick photo with a group of young volunteers from Westminster School.




7

The regional Food Bank of oklahoma recently dedicated its volunteer center. This new space will allow our faithful volunteers and community partners more room to work as they serve the hungry here in central and western oklahoma. The Duncan chisholm trail church of christ is one of those valued partners.

For more than 25 years, members of the congregation of the chisholm trail church of christ have been giving their time and talent on a weekly basis to help feed hungry oklahomans. Whether it’s sorting food, packing boxes or assembling backpacks of nutritious, kid-friendly snacks for the Food 4 Kids program, these church members are committed to the fight against hunger.

Bentley Singleton has been the team leader of the church’s volunteer group for the past three years. He says that serving at the Food Bank is a great way to foster relationships with others while giving back to the community.

“it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet people – to talk with people and find out their needs and try to help them,” he says. “And i just get enjoyment out of serving people in need!”

in addition to having members volunteer at the Food Bank for the past 25 years, the chisholm trail church of christ also operates a food pantry, which is one of the Food Bank’s oldest partner agencies. Mozella Moore has been volunteering in the pantry since it opened in 1985. She says

they serve more than 40 families per week, and even more during the holidays.

“right now we’re growing more than we ever have,” she says, referring to the increasing number of families and individuals needing help with food. “it’s such a good feeling to give help to these people.”

Mozella encourages others to give back in any way they can – especially now that the holidays are here.

“i just get so much more out of giving than receiving,” she says. “it just gives us all so much to help those in need. We should all be a servant to mankind.”

We are endlessly grateful for the steadfast partnership of Duncan chisholm trail church of christ and our many other community partners for enabling the Food Bank to serve those in need for nearly 30 years. Thank you!

LeAve A LegAcy WiTh The FULL pLATe socieTy

The Full Plate Society is an honorary society recognizing individuals who have included the regional Food Bank of oklahoma in their estate plans through a will, trust, life insurance gift or any one of numerous other gift-planning options. Becoming a member of the Full Plate Society is simply a matter of notifying the Food Bank of your legacy gift. visit the regional Food Bank on the web at www.regionalfoodbank.org and follow the take Action link to “Financial Planning.” Your legacy gift will allow us to continue fighting hunger in oklahoma for years to come.

a Tradition of Service

7

Bentley singleton (red shirt) and his fellow church members from duncan Chisholm trail Church of Christ pack boxes of food for those in need.




8

“Fig

hTin

g hU

nger

…Fe

edin

g ho

pe”

As a mother, one of teresa’s greatest joys in life is taking care of her two children and watching them grow. one of her biggest frustrations is not being able to provide for them all the time – no matter how hard she works.

The difficult economy has taken its toll on teresa and her family. Her husband Joseph lost his job nearly a year ago and hasn’t been able to find work since. teresa works part-time cleaning hotel rooms to help supplement the cost of groceries and utility bills. But since her hours are inconsistent, her paycheck isn’t always reliable. Joseph has been receiving unemployment assistance, but he says his checks are going to run out very soon. He and teresa are worried about what will happen when they do.

“i don’t even have a full paycheck left,” he says. “i can’t afford to work part-time. i’ll have to get two full-time jobs just to make ends meet.”

The family receives food stamps, but teresa says they always run out before the end of the month. Both their children participate in their school’s free lunch program, which helps stretch their food budget further. But both kids are at a critical stage in development and need nutritious food to grow, so it’s important for them to have three full meals a day - and teresa says there’s rarely enough food at home to go around.

Now that the holidays are here, it’s even more heart-breaking for teresa and Joseph that their kids may not have enough to eat. They want more than

anything to be able to cook a special holiday meal – and even though they’re working hard to get back on their feet, they need a little extra help.

Thanks to your generosity, they’ve found the help they need at McFarlin Memorial united Methodist church in Norman, a partner food pantry of the regional Food Bank of oklahoma. Your gifts to the Food Bank make it possible for parents in need like teresa and Joseph to take nutritious groceries and special holiday food home to their families – and they’re so grateful.

“if [not for the Food Bank], we wouldn’t be able to have a christmas dinner or Thanksgiving dinner,” says teresa.

“it just doesn’t feel like a holiday without holiday food,” adds Joseph with genuine appreciation. “Thank you!”

yoU’re A giFT To FAmiLies in need

the mission of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is to help the charitable community effectively feed people in need.

the link is published quarterly by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, a member of Feeding america.

send your comments to angie gaines, marketing manager, at [email protected].

™

www.regionalfoodbank.org

TM

P.O. Box 270968 Oklahoma City, Ok 73137-0968

(405)972-1111

This newsletter was made possible in part through the generosity of

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