Media Release
$180,000 Match Supports Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – – One in four Oklahoma children are living without consistent access to food. To help fight childhood hunger, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Lezlie and David Hudiburg, David Gorham, 7-Eleven Stores and an anonymous donor have issued a matching gift challenge. Through Sept. 30, every donation made to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Programs will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $180,000.
“Masonic lodges from across the state and the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma are again committing our efforts to support the Food for Kids Match campaign,” said John Logan, Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma executive director. “The Food for Kids Match allows our lodges to make a meaningful contribution to the benefit of children across our state.”
Last year, the Regional Food Bank provided more than 2.3 million meals for chronically hungry children through its Food for Kids Programs like the Backpack Program. The Backpack Program began in 2003 and provides sacks of food to help students that have been identified as food insecure get through weekends and long holiday breaks.
“No child should have to go without food,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so grateful for our match donors and generous Oklahomans for stepping up to make the Food for Kids Match possible. By donating to the Food for Kids Match you can double your impact in fighting chronic food insecurity among children in Oklahoma. “
Typically, a $100 donation would provide enough food to support a child in a Food for Kids Program for an entire year. With the match, the donation would provide enough food to support two students for an entire year.
Donations can be made by visiting foodforkids.us or by calling 405-600-3136.
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 everyone, regardless of circumstance, has access to nutritious food. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank is the state’s largest 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.
About the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma
The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma is dedicated to the tenets of freemasonry, brotherly love, relief and truth. Leadership guides the course for their fraternal benevolence and provides stewardship for the legacy entrusted to them. The organization has a vison to provide a network of programs supporting charitable and educational needs of Oklahomans of every walk of life while remaining firmly committed to our Masonic tenets and our continuing legacy of leadership and stewardship. For more information, visit mcfok.org
