Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers are launching a major campaign to stop hunger in the state because “no one should go to bed hungry in a land blessed with agriculture abundance,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president.
The “Farmers Fighting Hunger” campaign is in cooperation with the Regional Food Banks of Oklahoma. Farm Bureau members are collecting donations that will be gathered during their annual convention Nov. 9-11 in Oklahoma City.
“More than 500,000 Oklahomans are at risk of going hungry every day,” said Rodney W. Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “Promotions like Farm Bureau’s Farmers Fighting Hunger help the food banks in Oklahoma provide assistance to hungry Oklahomans across our state.”
To add flavor to the campaign, Farm Bureau has set up a competition to see which county group can bring in the most donations. The winner receives a trip for two to Washington, D.C., next spring.
Here’s how it works: For every can or dollar donated, Farm Bureau will award the county one point. A running tally will be kept throughout the convention, and the winning county will be announced at the closing session Nov. 11.
Anything you can purchase at your local grocer, canned goods, packaged goods (i.e. meal helpers), personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and paper goods is acceptable. Cash or checks are equally appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.
A booth manned by members of the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee will be set up at the convention’s trade show for donation drop-offs.
In addition, Farm Bureau employees are joining the fight with a “Halloween Harvest Fest.” Employees can bring in donations to the organization’s main office in Oklahoma City Oct. 25-31.
"We appreciate the support of Farm Bureau and all the farmers in Oklahoma,” said Sara Waggoner, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “Working together we can continue to fight hunger in Oklahoma.”
The Regional Food Banks in Oklahoma City and Tulsa distribute food to all 77 Oklahoma counties. For more information about the Regional Food Bank, visit www.regionalfoodbank.org. For more information about the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma visit www.cfbeo.org.
