Media release
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Feb. 10, 2022 – The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Holiday Match campaign will help provide more than 13 million meals to Oklahomans facing hunger. The match was made possible thanks to sponsors APMEX, the Cresap Family Foundation and an anonymous donor. KOCO 5 News partnered with the Regional Food Bank to promote the match with special programming dedicated to fighting hunger in Oklahoma.
“The last few years have been tough for everyone, especially those who have found themselves in need of food assistance for the first time. The generosity of everyone who donated to the Holiday Match helps the Regional Food Bank get closer to our vision of an Oklahoma where no one goes hungry,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so thankful for our match sponsors and partners whose leadership has helped make an incredible impact on hunger in Oklahoma.”
Gifts from APMEX, the Cresap Family Foundation and an anonymous donor matched every donation made, up to $500,000, between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15.
“Seeing our community come together to serve those in need brings me so much joy,” said Ken Lewis, chief executive officer of APMEX. “Our decade-long partnership with the Regional Food Bank means so much to us because we know we are making a difference for our neighbors struggling with food insecurity in Oklahoma City.”
Overall, the match raised more than $3.4 million for the Regional Food Bank.
“Our fellow Oklahomans have risen to the challenge and once again exceeded expectations in the Holiday Match campaign,” said John Cresap, president of the Cresap Family Foundation. “We are immensely proud to partner with APMEX and support the mission of the Regional Food Bank.”
For the second year, KOCO joined the Regional Food Bank as the official broadcast partner of the Holiday Match. Coverage from KOCO featured Regional Food Bank programs and partners as well as highlighting the Holiday Match during national sports broadcasts and newscasts. KOCO employees also donated their time to pack food in the Regional Food Bank’s Volunteer Center during the Holiday Match.
Throughout the match, KOCO encouraged viewers to donate online or make a $10 donation through the Regional Food Bank’s text-to-give platform. Overall, KOCO viewers raised $30,500 through the text-to-give-platform.
“Growing up in Oklahoma, I’ve seen firsthand how food insecurity impacts local families,” said Shawnda Adams, KOCO 5 news director. “In our newscasts, we’ve shared stories that broke our hearts and we were determined to help. I’m so proud of how our entire team jumped in to support this incredible effort with the Regional Food Bank.”
The Regional Food Bank’s network of partners across 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma served more than 47 million meals in the past year. Learn more about the fight against hunger in Oklahoma by visiting rfbo.org.
About APMEX
Since opening its doors in 2000, APMEX remains one of the largest sources in the Precious Metals industry. Over the last two decades, it has sold more than $11 billion in Gold, Silver, and other Precious Metals in more than 60 countries around the world. For additional information, visit APMEX.com or call 800-375-9006.
About Cresap Family Foundation
Denny, Gail and John Cresap established the foundation following the sale of the family’s business, Premium Beers of Oklahoma, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the country. A desire to give back to the communities that had supported Premium Beers of Oklahoma for 44 years resulted in the foundation’s creation. Including its 2021 grant-making activities, the Cresap Family Foundation has given more than $10 million to Oklahoma nonprofits since its founding in 2012. Learn more at cresapfoundation.org.
About KOCO 5
KOCO 5 is Oklahoma City’s home for Live, Local, Late Breaking news and First Alert Weather coverage. In 2021, KOCO was honored with 6 awards from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for coverage of spot news, general news, feature reporting, photography and Community Service. KOCO 5 First Alert Weather is independently certified as delivering the Most Accurate Forecast by WeatheRate for the tenth year in a row. The station’s web address is koco.com.
About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is leading the fight against hunger in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma and envisions a state where no one goes hungry. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank is the state’s largest domestic hunger-relief 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes food through a network of community- based partner agencies and schools. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. To join the fight to end hunger, visit rfbo.org.
