The Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation donated $27,395.55 to fight childhood hunger statewide. The donation benefits the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Program, which includes the Backpack Program.
Earlier this year, Oklahoma FFA members were encouraged to donate livestock shown at the Oklahoma Youth Expo to the Beef for Backpacks and Pork for Packs program. This program provides protein sticks for the Food for Kids Backpack Program statewide. FFA chapter members were also asked to add 25 cents to each fundraising package they sold for their chapter and contribute that 25 cents to fight childhood hunger in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation collected the proceeds and also facilitated the donation of livestock to the Oklahoma Food Banks.
“I love this program because it encourages kids to help other kids,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “The Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation helps these young leaders by providing the resources they need to give back to help others. We are honored to be a part of this program.”
In total, $22,464.35 benefited the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids program and was matched to help even more chronically hungry kids, thanks to the Food for Kids Match. As a result, children will be supported through the Food for Kids program for an entire school year in central and western Oklahoma. The other $4,931.20 of the donation benefits the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program.
“To know that the efforts of so many FFA members across the state are helping other children is very rewarding,” said Chris Kidd, director of fundraising and public relations of the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation. “To know that this donation will be matched just makes it better. There isn’t a better youth organization in our state than the FFA.”
Through Sept. 30, donations made to Food for Kids will be matched – up to $150,000. Make a donation online here or call (405) 600-3136. This generous match is sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma, Benvenuti’s Ristorante, David Gorham and two anonymous donors.
