THE
LINK
Your Gifts Help Hungry Families
This Holiday Season
“Fighting Hunger...Feeding Hope” ™
HOLIDAY
2015
RODNEY W. BIVENS
Executive Director
Learn more about
our $1 MILLION
holiday matching
gift challenge on
page 4!
OFFICERS:
REGIONAL FOOD BANK FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Kyle Essmiller, PostRock Energy Corporation
Vice Chair
Phil Cook, Devon Energy Corporation
Treasurer
G. Rainey Williams, Marco Capital Group ALP
Secretary
Adam Rainbolt, Wilcox & McGrath Insurance
BOARD MEMBERS:
Gary Allison, Tri-State Industrial Group
Sherry Barton, New York Life Company
Isabel Chancellor, IngenuitE, Inc.
Jeff Click, Jeff Click Homes, LLC
Karen Cunningham, Oklahoma Financial Center, Inc.
Derek B. Gill, First United Bank
John Kapchinske, Chesapeake Energy Corporation (Ret.)
Holly Luke, Community Leader
Marian Moon, Community Leader
Patricia Murphy, Community Leader
Melinda Newport, The Chickasaw Nation
Joy Parduhn, Exencial Wealth Advisors
Gail Wynne, Carlisle Collection
2
Dear Friend,
The holidays are almost here, and families across Oklahoma are
making plans to spend time together around an abundant table, sharing
good food and conversation with their loved ones. I always look forward
to special meals with my family at this time of year.
But the holidays aren’t a season of joy and celebration for everyone.
Thousands of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, meaning
many hardworking Oklahomans must sacrifice the full Thanksgiving table
they’d like to provide this year so they can afford other expenses like
rent, bills and medicine.
That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that Chesapeake Energy
Corporation and the Cresap Family Foundation have offered to match all
gifts to the Regional Food Bank to create a $1 MILLION holiday match!
Your gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $500,000, for a $1
million total impact!
Each day, you make our job of distributing good, nutritious food to
our network of partner agencies possible. Your support is a reminder
to people on the brink of losing hope that someone cares about their
well-being.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through this special holiday
issue of The Link. During this season of giving, countless families and
individuals are thriving because they can now access consistent nutrition
— families like Ashley’s, who have help with their tight budget thanks to
your support of our Food & Resource Centers. You can read their story
on page 8.
As we prepare for one of our busiest seasons, I hope our neighbors
in need can continue to count on your generosity and compassion.
On behalf of the hungry men, women and children we serve together,
thank you.
OFFICERS:
REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Tressa Madden, Community Leader
Vice Chair
Ray Haefele, Tyson Foods (Ret.)
Treasurer
James R. Hopper, Oklahoma Restaurant Association
Secretary
Karen Jacobs, Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services
BOARD MEMBERS:
Jamey Allen, Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture
Mark Brewer, Seagate Technology
Jim Brooks, Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
Jerry Dyer, All American Building Products
Wayne Epperson, Fleming Foods (Ret.)
Brecklyn Ferrell, Lopez Foods Incorporated
Peggy Garrett, Urban Mission Food Resource Center
Mark Harsha, Alliance Harsha Advertising
Clydene Howard, Walmart Supercenters (OKC)
Dave Koeneke, Oklahoma Safety Council
Danny Lane, Associated Wholesale Grocers
Jessica Martinez-Brooks, Oklahoma City Community College
Norma Noble, Community Leader
Kirk Purnell, Ben E. Keith
Steve Riggs, USPS (Ret.) and NALC
Avis Scaramucci, Painted Door
Ben Williams, Devon Energy Corporation
OFFICERS:
FOODLINK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Marian Moon, Community Leader
Vice Chair
Robert Clements, Clements Foods Company
Secretary
Peggy Garrett, Urban Mission Food Resource Center
BOARD MEMBERS:
Cindy Batt, Bank of Oklahoma
Pat Garrett, Garrett & Company
James R. Hopper, Oklahoma Restaurant Association
Michael E. Joseph, McAfee & Taft
Tressa Madden, Community Leader
Sharon Neuwald, SFN Consulting
G. Rainey Williams, Marco Capital Group ALP
LEGAL COUNSEL
Michael E. Joseph, McAfee & Taft
Temika
Parents Can Feed Their
Families, Thanks to You
When Temika looks at her daughter, Tamia,
she sees a girl who’s going places. An avid reader
from an early age, Tamia is set on attending college
when she graduates from high school and hopes to
continue studying literature, her favorite subject.
Temika knows she’ll need to save a lot of money
if she’s going to be able to help with the cost of
books and tuition, but for now, she must address a
much more immediate concern — putting food on
the table.
While her daughter is at school, Temika works
her hourly job at a nearby hotel and helps care
for her two young godchildren. But between her
paychecks and a small amount of help through the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
she often struggles to buy groceries each month.
In order to stretch the family’s food budget a
little further, Temika began visiting the Food Pantry
at McFarlin United Methodist Church, her local
Regional Food Bank partner agency in Norman. She
says the food she receives here helps when money is
especially tight and payday can’t come soon enough.
Before she started coming to the pantry, Temika
wasn’t always able to prepare nourishing meals for
her daughter and godchildren. Now, she can make
nutritious dishes — including family favorites like
jambalaya — without breaking the bank.
In addition to being somewhat of a bookworm,
Temika says Tamia is also a talented dancer. She’s so
glad she can give her daughter the energy she needs
to practice each week by providing balanced meals.
As Temika prepares for the holidays, she’s
thankful for friends like you who make this time
of year so special. Every time she thinks about
your generosity to her family, she says she feels
overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Thank you for all that you do!” Temika says,
grinning widely.
3
HOLIDAY MATCH!
Every gift to the Regional Food Bank between
November 15 and January 15 will be matched, dollar
for dollar up to $500,000, for a $1 million impact!
Thank you to our generous match donors, Chesapeake
Energy Corporation and the Cresap Family Foundation.
This is an opportunity for your gift to have twice the
impact in the fight against hunger in Oklahoma. Please
help us meet the Holiday Match!
Save the Date
Chefs’ Feast | March, 2016
Join us for our 29th annual Chefs’ Feast at the National
Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This food and
wine tasting event benefits the Regional Food Bank’s
Food for Kids programs. To reserve a patron table or
purchase tickets, contact Meredith Diers at 405-600-3174
or [email protected].
Thank You for Your
Holiday Gifts
Thank You to Our Generous Partners!
Devon Energy Holiday Care & Share Boxes
Thank you to Devon Energy for providing Holiday Care
& Share food boxes for distribution in Hinton, Geary,
Watonga, Weatherford and Taloga this winter. The boxes
were distributed with a ham, fresh produce and bread by
compassionate Devon employees to make sure every family
has food for the holidays.
Oklahoma’s Own Ride Against Childhood Hunger
Mustang Fuel Corporation Holiday Care & Share Boxes
Thank you, Mustang Fuel, for providing Holiday Care &
Share food boxes for distribution in Anadarko, Enid, Fairview,
Hennessey, Perry and Covington in December. Hundreds of
families will have food to share this winter thanks to you!
The 5th annual motorcycle ride, hosted by Griffin
Communications, was held September 13. Presented by the
Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma, Lucille’s and News 9, the
ride raised more than $87,000 – enough to provide nutritious
weekend food for 437 children! More than 450 people joined
News 9 morning anchor, Stan Miller, for the scenic ride to
Mulhall. Thank you to all the riders, sponsors and volunteers
who helped make this event a success!
Students Against Hunger
Hunger-Free Summer Match
Thank you to EnLink Midstream and their employees for
providing Holiday Care & Share boxes to nearly 300 families in
Stuart and Calvin. Because of your support, struggling families
will have a nutritious holiday meal. Thank you!
Thanks to Top of the World, David Gorham and two anonymous
families, every gift to the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids
program was matched up to $100,000 in July and August.
4
Because of your generous response, more than $500,000 was
raised! Thank you!
More than 230 metro and rural elementary, middle and high
schools participated in this year’s annual youth-driven food
drive. Results from the 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 and Devon
Energy for sponsoring.
EnLink Midstream
Fresh Rx: A Prescription for Health
Thank you to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and
the Telligen Community Initiative for providing seed funding to
start a clinical partnership pilot project for the Regional Food
Bank’s Fresh Rx program at the Mary Mahoney Memorial Health
Center and a community clinic operated by INTEGRIS Health.
City, State and Federal Employees
All of the dedicated City, State and Federal employees who
participated in their workplace giving campaigns have our
sincere appreciation. The money raised through these
campaigns provides sustainable funding to feed hungry
Oklahomans. Remember, our Designation Code for the
Combined Federal Campaign is 67922, and 9220 for the State
Charitable Campaign and the Heart of the City Campaign.
Thank you!
participated in the 6th annual Feeding Oklahoma Drive. Over
the past five years, the drive has raised enough food and funds
to provide the equivalent of more than 12 million meals for
hungry Oklahomans. Results of this year’s drive are pending.
Arvest Bank’s Million Meals Campaign
Thank you once again to Arvest Bank for fighting hunger
in Oklahoma! During September and October, Arvest Bank
raised more than 1 million meals to feed individuals
struggling with hunger.
Okie Express Auto Wash Fights Hunger
Okie Express Auto Wash is collecting donations to help fight
hunger. Next time you need your car washed, visit Okie Express
and help your neighbors in need. To date, Okie Express has
donated more than $38,500 to the Regional Food Bank.
Governor Fallin’s Feeding Oklahoma Drive
A huge thank you to Governor Mary Fallin and everyone who
5
Because
You Give, a
Single Dad
Has Help
Chris
Chris is a self-described “country boy” with
a passion for hunting and fishing. When he’s not
enjoying the freedom of the outdoors, he works as a
driver for a company that transports over-sized loads.
To make ends meet, Chris says he needs to
average about six workdays a week. But there
haven’t been as many loads to move lately, and his
hours have been nearly cut in half.
“It’s always slow in the winter, but right now it’s
especially slow,” he says of his work situation.
Chris is also a single dad to his son, Nik, 17,
and daughter, Miyka, 15. With his drastic decline
in income, he often worries about how he’ll fill his
family’s table. And with the holidays approaching,
he’s especially stressed about covering the meals his
kids normally eat in the cafeteria while they’re on
break from school.
To make up for what he can’t afford to buy at
the grocery store, Chris began visiting the food
pantry at Chisholm Trail Church of Christ, a Regional
Food Bank partner agency in Duncan.
Chris knew about the pantry because he
actually used to volunteer here regularly. It’s a little
strange for him to be seated in the pantry’s waiting
area while the other volunteers — many of whom
he’s gone to church with his whole life — pack his
box of food. Still, he appreciates the help he receives
each month and hopes to be able to give back again
when he’s on firmer financial footing.
When you give to the Regional Food Bank, you
help brighten the holidays for struggling families like
Chris’. He’s truly grateful for all you’ve done to help
him, Nik and Miyka while he waits for work to pick
back up. For Chris, it’s much more than just food
you’re providing — it’s hope.
“It means everything,” he says. “Thank you for
being decent enough to help others.”
Make a Gift Without Using Your Checkbook or Credit Card
For many people, making a gift of appreciated stock or a life insurance policy can be a tax-wise choice,
and the Regional Food Bank can help you take advantage of these and other giving options. For more
information, please contact Chad Haney at 405-600-3145 or email [email protected].
6
The Wilson Family Champions
Childhood Hunger Relief
Terra Verde
students support
Food for Kids
through Terra
Verde Café.
When they first became aware of the problem
of hunger in their community through an article in
the Norman Transcript, Pete Wilson and his wife,
Shelley, were appalled. But their shock quickly
turned to action.
In an effort to ensure children have enough
to eat during the weekend, the Wilsons helped
establish Norman’s first Food for Kids Backpack
Program at Washington Elementary. Over the
past decade, Pete and Shelley have involved all
of their business entities in the fight against
childhood hunger.
Pete and his partner, Scott Shuler, began
supporting Food for Kids through Top of the World —
the collegiate headwear supplier they run together.
Top of the World generously matches all gifts to
Food for Kids annually, helping to connect thousands
of chronically hungry students with needed meals.
Pete and Shelley have also creatively integrated
Terra Verde Discovery School, the private elementary
they co-founded, with Benvenuti’s Restaurant,
which Pete co-runs, to host Terra Verde Café. The
regular event is a student-led fundraising luncheon
supporting Food for Kids.
Students from Terra Verde serve as hosts,
cashiers, bussers, servers and hunger-relief
advocates. They also help promote the luncheons by
inviting friends and family. Over the past two years,
Terra Verde Café has raised nearly $15,000 for Food
for Kids in Cleveland County.
Pete and Shelley’s own children — Deia, 11,
and Cade, 9 — love to join in the effort and help
promote the Backpack Program. Teaching kids about
hunger is a priority for the Wilsons. Their goal is to
end childhood hunger in Oklahoma, and for that
to happen, they know they must inspire the next
generation to action.
“For children to go hungry in Oklahoma is a
tragedy...this isn’t something we should accept,” Pete
says. “If we can pull together, we have the power to
end this.”
We’re so grateful to friends like Pete and Shelley,
who have the passion and creativity to make a real
impact. Thank you!
Tax Check-Off | Tax Year 2015
If you’d like to donate a portion of your state income tax return, 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!
The Advocacy and Public Policy Department was made possible through a generous grant from MAZON: A
Jewish Response to Hunger.
7
Thank You
for Giving
Children
a Brighter
Holiday
Blake, Michael,
Ashley & Michael Jr.
Ashley has had more than her fair share of
health problems lately. She was recently diagnosed
with fibromyalgia, which causes her a great deal of
pain and makes simple tasks like walking extremely
difficult. Ashley struggles quietly, though — she
always has a smile on her face.
Because of her poor health, Ashley had to
leave her job as a certified nurse’s assistant earlier
this year. This means her husband, Michael, an
oil rig worker, is the sole breadwinner for the
family. He works as many hours as he can to help
provide for the couple’s two sons, Michael Jr., 2,
and Blake, 4.
“They’re constantly hungry,” Ashley says of her
growing boys.
Thinking it might help their family weather this
difficult time in their lives, Ashley tried applying
Be a part of the Regional Food
Bank’s Online Community!
www.regionalfoodbank.org
3355 S. Purdue
Oklahoma City, OK 73179-7640
405-972-1111
8
Friend us:
www.facebook.com/regionalfoodbank
Follow us:
www.twitter.com/rfbo
Subscribe:
www.youtube.com/regionalfoodbank
The Link is published quarterly by the Regional Food
Bank of Oklahoma, a member of Feeding America.
Comments and questions can be directed to our Development
Department at 405-600-3136 or [email protected]
for SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps), but was
denied. Like many hardworking Oklahoma families,
she learned her husband’s income just exceeds the
limit to qualify for public assistance, but is often
too little to keep the cupboard stocked.
But thanks to caring friends like you, not all
hope was lost. Because you give, Ashley’s family
has been able to receive support through HELP,
Inc., a Regional Food Bank Food & Resource Center
in Elk City. Ashley now has access to the groceries
she’d struggle to afford on her own.
As she browses the shelves at the Food &
Resource Center, Michael takes care of Blake and
Michael Jr., who are always full of energy and can
be a little rambunctious. Their eyes light up when
they see the fresh fruit their mom adds to her cart.
“My kids love oranges!” Ashley says excitedly.
This holiday season, there are thousands of
parents just like Ashley and Michael who need a
hand up — through your support, you give them
the comfort of knowing they’ll be able to feed their
families. Thank you so much for your compassion
during this special time of year.
This newsletter was made possible in part through the
generosity of