On the last Saturday of July, employees of the Aeronautical Center, along with friends and family members, donated two and half hours of their day giving back to the community. Over 150 people participated in assembling sacks of nutritious food for the Regional Foodbank of Oklahoma. Some of the volunteers assembled food products for the Food for Kids Backpack Program, sorting and packing bread, produce, packaged meals and cans. The needs of the Regional Foodbank fluctuate daily, so projects change according to need. The work of the Foodbank is even more important during the global health crisis, as volunteers adhered to CDC guidelines, wearing masks and helping with sterilizing the environment when the work was complete.
Laughter and smiles were shared among all, after some serious work was accomplished. At the end of the volunteer shift, 390 cans of food were boxed, 6,6630 lbs. of food were prepared, which equates to 5,525 meals being prepared for Oklahoma’s hungry. Oklahoma is ranked as the fifth hungriest state in the nation for food insecurity.
The Regional Food bank appreciates employees who donate their time, but also welcome monetary donations. For every single dollar donated, 96 cents goes toward programming, food purchases and to providing food assistance. One donated dollar pays for 4 complete meals.
The majority of the people served by the Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes, and hardworking families who are struggling to make ends meet. The Regional Food Bank distributes an average of 50 million pounds of food each year, through its network of more than 1,300 community-based partners in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma.
Another volunteer opportunity is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Volunteers can participate in one or two sessions: 9:30am-Noon and/or 1:30pm-4pm at 3355 S. Purdue, Oklahoma City. To register, please contact Williams Katy . Families and friends are invited to participate. Children ages 8 and above are also welcome to join in the activities.
This year, on June 27th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off its 14th Annual Feds Feed Families (FFF) Summer Food Drive.
This year’s theme is, "Fighting Hunger - Giving Hope." Feds Feed Families is a volunteer food drive that encourages employees across the Federal Government to give in-kind contributions of food, service, and/or time, to food banks and pantries of their choice, which helps food banks and pantries during the summer - when demand is high, and supply is low. All DOT employees are invited to participate now through September 30, 2022.
There are a variety of ways to get involved:
Become a champion by promoting and by participating in one of the ways listed above. You can invite your friends and family to participate in your name. The Feds Feed Families Food Drive is a voluntary federal-wide and nationwide effort for employees to collect and donate food for those who are in need. Food Bank partners in Oklahoma have established online giving portals, which allow you to help our communities through the practice of social distancing. The total contributions or donations will be reported at the end of the 2022 Feds Feed Families food drive.
You can click on the following link to make Monetary Donations to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (OKC, Lawton, Altus, etc.): Feed OK (please use Chrome browser)
For any questions about donating, please contact Whitney Atteberry, Community Engagement Manager, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (Servicing OKC, Lawton, Altus, etc.) at (405) 600-3193
