The Link

Holi

day

2010

“Fighting Hunger...Feeding Hope”

www.regionalfoodbank.org

Oklahomans in Need Have HOPE Because of You

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Regional Food Bank oF oklahoma BoaRd oF diRectoRs

oFFiceRs:Derek B. Gill, ChairFirst United BankJohn Williams, Vice ChairChef ’s Requested Foods, Inc.Tim Bellanti, TreasurerAssociated Wholesale GrocersTressa Madden, SecretaryOklahoma State Department of Health

BoaRd memBeRs:Jim Brooks, Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products CenterRobert H. Clements, Clements Food CompanyChris K. Davis, Sysco OklahomaSam Erwin, U.S. FoodservicePeggy Garrett, Urban MissionMark Harsha, Harsha ProductionsJim Kimble, Jasco ProductsDave Koeneke, Oklahoma Safety CouncilDavid Lopez, Lopez Foods IncorporatedRob McLaughlin, Advance Food CompanyKirk Purnell, Ben E. KeithSteve Riggs, National Association of Letter Carriers

Regional Food Bank Foundation BoaRd oF diRectoRs

oFFiceRs:Martha A. Burger, ChairChesapeake Energy CorporationMarian Moon, Vice ChairCommunity LeaderG. Rainey Williams, TreasurerMarco Capital Group, ALPMarian Tisdal, SecretaryCommunity LeaderTony Boghetich, Past PresidentOmar B. Milligan Enterprises

BoaRd memBeRs:Cindy Batt, Bank of OklahomaDiana Beeler, Community LeaderDennis Brand, BancFirstIsabel Chancellor, IngenuitE, Inc.Robert H. Clements, Clements Food CompanyPat Garrett, Garrett & CompanyDerek B. Gill, First United BankRay Haefele, Tyson Foods (Retired)Clydene Howard, Wal-Mart Supercenters (OKC)Jim Jarrett, Oklahoma Natural GasEd Kelley, The OklahomanXavier Neira, Rooney Holdings, Inc.Tony Maranto, EOG Resources, Inc.Christina Nihira, Freelance WriterAvis Scaramucci, Nonna’s Euro-American RistoranteSteven P. Rhines, The Noble FoundationVince White, Devon EnergyGail Wynne, Carlisle Collection

Foodlink BoaRd oF diRectoRs

oFFiceRs:Michael E. Joseph, ChairMcAfee & TaftTony Boghetich, Vice ChairOmar B. Milligan EnterprisesSherri Price, SecretaryCommunity Leader

BoaRd memBeRs:James R. Hopper, Oklahoma Restaurant AssociationSharon Neuwald, Department of Human Services (Retired)Betsy Rowland, Community LeaderGail Wynne, Carlisle Collection

counsel Michael E. Joseph, McAfee & Taft

From

The

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ecTo

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roDney W. BivensEXECuTIVE DIRECToR

Dear Friend,

As the year draws to an end, I am extremely thankful as I look back at all the ways you have partnered with us to feed the hungry in our community.

Thanks to the time, talent and generosity of friends like you, the Regional Food Bank of oklahoma provided more than 36 million pounds of food to our network of partner agencies this year. That translates into more than 28 million meals for hungry families, children and seniors! When I think about the sheer number of oklahomans who have been directly impacted by your willingness to share your resources with those who have less, I am truly overwhelmed.

You also helped make this year’s Hunger Action Month a tremendous success. I’m so thankful to everyone who participated in this nation-wide hunger-awareness initiative by organizing a food drive, spreading the word via Facebook or Twitter, attending our special Hunger Action Month events or participating in any or all of the “30 Ways in 30 Days.”

But as you know, our work is never finished. Recent Census Bureau findings report that 1 in 7 Americans are living in poverty. That’s more than 14 percent of our country’s population – and more than a third of them are children. When people are struggling to pay for rent and bills, food becomes a luxury they just can’t afford. We simply cannot sit by and watch as our neighbors go hungry.

I’m so grateful that I can count on your support and partnership as we work to provide food to those who need it here in central and western oklahoma. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for all you do!

“it is an eternal obligation toward the human being not to let him suffer from hunger

when one has a chance of coming to his assistance.”

-Simone Weil

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As anyone who has experienced the loss of a parent knows, to lose a mother or father is devastating, especially when you’re still young. But to lose both parents in the span of seven months would be almost too much pain to handle.

Roxanne knows what this pain feels like. Shortly after her mother passed away, her father became very ill. Though Roxanne was still grieving over the loss of her mom, she selflessly put her own needs aside and began caring for her father every day.

But after several months, he too passed away. Roxanne was beyond devastated. Nothing could ever have prepared her for the tragic losses of both her parents in such a short period of time.

“It’s just hard right now...really hard,” she says, fighting back tears.

Though this year has been overwhelmingly difficult, Roxanne knows she has to be strong for her family. She and Kevin* have a 1-year-old son who’s depending on them. And he’s not the only one. Roxanne’s sister and 6-year-old nephew are also living with them while she, too, gets back on her feet.

Right now Kevin is on unpaid medical leave from his job because of a broken leg, so Roxanne’s income is keeping the family afloat. But on just $160 a week, she’s definitely not making enough to cover the cost of rent, utility bills and groceries for five people – including two growing children. More often than not, the family just doesn’t have enough food at home.

With the holidays coming up, Roxanne wants more than anything to be able to share a special meal with her family – especially after all they’ve been through this year. But right now, she’s having to choose between paying her rent and buying food for the kids – a choice she never thought she’d be forced to make.

you Give Families in need a reason to celebrate

Fortunately, Roxanne has found hope and help from the food pantry at Tamarack Road Church of Christ in Altus, oklahoma. This partner agency of the Regional Food Bank provides free, nutritious groceries – and special holiday food baskets – to individuals and families in need like Roxanne’s. This is all made possible because of your gifts to the Regional Food Bank.

Roxanne is so very grateful for the food she receives – and she knows she has you to thank. Because of your compassion, her family will have a full table this holiday season – and for the first time in awhile, a reason to really celebrate.

“Thank you – we appreciate it!” says Roxanne. “Every little bit helps.”

3*name has been changed.

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Y o u ’ r e R e s t o r i n g H o p e t o H u n g r y O k l a h o m a n s !

Givi

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hope

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Thank you To The following groups for doing Their parT To fighT hunger here in cenTral and wesTern oklahoma:sTudenTs againsT hunger The Students Against Hunger Food drive wrapped up on october 30th after more than 150 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 sponsoring this event.

fashion for food A big thank you to fashion designer Johnathan Kayne for hosting an exclusive fashion show at the Regional Food Bank in September to raise money for the Food for Kids backpack program! We’d also like to thank our fashionable sponsors, Buy for Less Grocery Stores, Belts, Inc. and Trichology Salon.

food for kids maTchMark Heitz Auto Family, Top of the World, Buy for Less Grocery Stores and two anonymous donors matched every dollar donated to our Food for Kids backpack program in September – up to $102,000. Your overwhelming generosity helped us raise an incredible $185,211! This will allow us to provide backpacks of food to more than 900 chronically hungry children. Thank you!

cresT 22nd inviTaTional golf TournamenTThe CREST 22nd Annual Invitational Golf Tournament raised $36,905 and donated six truckloads of food to the Regional Food Bank this year! Thank you, CREST!

ciTy, sTaTe and federal employeesWe would like to thank all the dedicated City, State and Federal employees who participated in their workplace giving campaigns. The money raised through these campaigns provides 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. We look forward to reporting on the success of these three campaigns!

celebriTy councilThe Regional Food Bank would like to welcome local artist Ryan Cunningham as the newest member of our Celebrity Council!

Thank you To The following organizaTions for Their generous gifTs To The food bank:Philip Boyle Foundation • CarMichael Foundation • Cleo L. Craig Foundation • First National Bank & Trust of Chickasha • E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation • Harris Foundation, oKC • McCrory Foundation • The Nix Foundation • oklahoma County Social Services • RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation • Share our Strength • Southern oklahoma Memorial Foundation • Sonic, America’s Drive In • Target • The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

save The daTe!bedlam food fighT | november 22Join Magic 104.1 KMGL on Monday, November 22nd from 5:30 – 10 a.m. at Homeland on Britton and May Avenue for the university of oklahoma vs. oklahoma State university Bedlam Food Fight! Put your money where you team spirit is and drop your donation in the ou or oSu collection box. one lucky donor will win four tickets to the big Bedlam game on Saturday, Nov. 27th, courtesy of Homeland! But the real winners are the hungry oklahomans who will be fed because of your generosity. Listen to Magic 104.1 for details.

krafT huddle To fighT hunger | now Through January 9, 2011Help fight hunger by visiting Kraft Foods’ huddletofighthunger.com! By signing up to “join the huddle,” Kraft will make a donation to your local food bank. Help the Regional Food Bank continue to feed hungry oklahomans and help Kraft reach its goal of donating 20 million meals to those in need across our country.

Tax check-offIf you would like to donate a portion of your state income tax return from tax year 2010, be sure to fill out form 511-G (Donations from a Refund) and check the box marked “oklahoma Food Banks.” Your donation will be

used to help provide food to thousands of hungry oklahomans. Thank you!

pound for pound challenge | January - may 2011Visit 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 to fight hunger!

chefs’ feasT - march 31, 2011Join us for our 24th 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 for Kids program. To reserve your patron table, contact Angie Gaines at 405-604-7109 or againes@regionalfoodbank.org.

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Kari has a friendly demeanor and a contagious smile. She’s studying to be a nurse, so it seems fitting that she’d be so warm and outgoing.

Kari and her 15-month-old son, Camden, just moved

to Seminole, oklahoma a few weeks ago so she could attend

nursing school at Seminole State College. She diligently saved

money for years so she could pursue her dream of becoming a

nurse – but now that she’s here, her savings are all she has to

live on.

Kari is looking for part-time work, but she hasn’t been

able to find anything yet. Between school and taking care of

little Camden, it’s almost impossible to find the time. Right

now she simply can’t afford childcare – but she knows if she

goes much longer without a source of income, she won’t be

able to afford food for her son, either.

As a nursing student – and a mother – Kari knows how

important it is for Camden to have regular access to nutritious

food. But healthy items are expensive – and after paying rent

and utility bills, Kari rarely has enough left over to buy the

groceries she and her little boy need. This will be their first

holiday season in their new home – and the possibility of not

having enough to eat makes Kari sick with worry.

Fortunately, friends like you are bringing hope to families

like Kari’s this holiday season. Thanks to your gifts to the

Regional Food Bank of oklahoma, she can take home plenty

of nutritious groceries – including meat and fresh fruits and

vegetables – from a Food Bank partner agency in her new

neighborhood.

Kari has never had to ask for help with food before.

Though she says it was hard to swallow her pride and ask for

assistance, she’s so grateful that friends like you have chosen

to share your resources so that her son will have enough to eat

throughout this holiday season.

“Thank you!” she says with a huge smile. “This is a very

big help – and it’s so appreciated.”

Working poor families, people with disabilities and seniors on fixed incomes are forced to live on $4 a day, every day. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, serves as the first line of defense against hunger. Could you buy enough food for a week with $28? That’s the average weekly SNAP benefit in Oklahoma. We’re challenging you to fill your grocery sack the same way that more than 500,000 Oklahomans do – with only $4 a day. To sign up and take the SNAP challenge, visit www.regionalfoodbank.org and click “Advocate,” or contact Ashley Stokes at (405) 600-3129.

The Advocacy and Public Policy Department was made possible through a generous grant from MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.6

you’re Bringing Joy to hungry Families

Three meaLs a Day on JusT $4?

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For more than two decades, the students of Bishop

McGuiness High School have been raising awareness about

hunger in our community. This fall marks the school’s 25th

year of participation in the Students Against Hunger Food

Drive, the Regional Food Bank’s month-long food and

funds drive for schools in central and western oklahoma.

Bishop McGuiness Principal David Morton says

the school has come a long way from its first year of

participation. Back in 1985 when David was a school

counselor, students collected around 2,500 pounds of food

to help the Regional Food Bank and its partner agencies

feed hungry oklahomans during the holidays. This year,

students set their sights on their biggest goal yet: collecting

75,000 pounds of food!

“It speaks to what a McGuiness student looks like –

they are service-oriented and they know a big part of who they

are is serving those in need.”

Indeed, Bishop McGuiness students are widely involved

in their community. The school does everything from

building houses for Habitat for Humanity to volunteering at

a downtown homeless shelter and serving at their local food

pantry. David says a giving spirit is ingrained in each of his

students – which is why everyone is so eager to be involved in

Students Against Hunger.

Senior student Mary Katherine “M.K.” Tyler and junior

Joe Edmonds are this year’s food drive co-chairs. They’re

responsible for organizing the entire student-led drive and

even spent part of their summer working on the project. M.K.

says she’s been really inspired by the enthusiasm her peers have

shown in the effort to fight hunger.

“[Students Against Hunger] is the biggest project we do

all year as a school,” she says. “We’re providing meals for the

community. But it’s so much more than that. It makes you feel

so much better about yourself when you know you’re doing

something for others.”

We are beyond grateful to the students and faculty of

Bishop McGuiness High School for their longtime dedication

to the fight against hunger through their participation in

Students Against Hunger. Thank you!

You have the opportunity to define your values and make a lasting impact on a cause that is important to you through a will, trust or bequest. For more information, visit our estate planning page on the web at www.regionalfoodbank.org. Simply follow the link to “Take Action/Financial Planning” for abundant planning resources. You can also email us at plannedgiving@regionalfoodbank.org.

Bishop McGuiness High School: a legacy of

Fighting Hunger

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pLan For The FuTure WiTh The reGionaL FooD Bank

Bishop mcGuiness students build a tower to display donated food.

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“FiG

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…Fe

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Amy and her husband Michael* work hard to provide for their three children. They love their kids and would do anything for them. But lately it’s just been hard to give them the best.

Michael is only 38 years old, but he’s had two heart attacks in the last year. Amy was terrified that she was going to lose her companion – and the father of her children.

Fortunately, Michael’s doctor believes he’ll be able to make a full recovery with the help of medicine and a healthy, balanced diet. But as long as he’s recovering, he remains under doctor’s orders to stay home and rest.

Since Michael is unable to work right now, Amy is the sole provider for the family. But her income simply isn’t enough to cover the cost of utilities, Michael’s medical bills and prescriptions and groceries for five people – including three growing children. Even with the help of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, Amy can’t afford to buy all the nutritious food her family needs.

It breaks Amy’s heart to know that she can’t provide for her children on her own right now. She and Michael have always donated to charitable causes, but now it’s their family who’s in need. With all that her kids have been through this year, she wants more than anything to be able to provide a holiday dinner for everyone. But right now she can barely afford groceries each month, much less a special meal.

Fortunately, Amy has found the help she needs at the Lawton Food Bank, a partner agency of the Regional Food Bank of oklahoma. This food pantry provides nutritious grocery staples and special holiday food boxes to individuals and families in need – and you help make it possible.

Amy is so grateful for the food she receives. Thanks to you, her family will have enough to eat this holiday season as they work to get back on solid ground.

“Without [the Food Bank], I think we’d just be hungry. And that’s the honest truth,” says Amy. “Thank you. Thank you for caring enough to help people in need!”

your Compassion Feeds 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 againes@regionalfoodbank.org.

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www.regionalfoodbank.org

3355 S. PurdueOklahoma City, OK 73137-0968

(405) 972-1111

This newsletter was made possible in part through the generosity of

connect with us online:twitter.com/rfbo

facebook.com/regionalfoodbank

*name has been changed.

amy with her son, robert.