Media release
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Feb. 9, 2023 – Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Holiday Match campaign will help provide more than 14 million meals to Oklahomans facing hunger. The match was made possible thanks to presenting sponsor APMEX and the Cresap Family Foundation. KOCO 5 News partnered with the Regional Food Bank to promote the match with special programming dedicated to fighting hunger in Oklahoma.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of everyone who has donated to the Holiday Match this year. This campaign is incredibly crucial to our mission of providing nutritious food to Oklahomans living with hunger, especially as we see the need for food assistance increase,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “The success of the match would not be possible without the incredible leadership of our match sponsors and media partners.”
Gifts from APMEX and the Cresap Family Foundation matched every donation made, up to $350,000, between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15.
“At APMEX, we believe in being a part of the community,” said APMEX founder Scott Thomas. “That is why we’ve partnered with the Regional Food Bank for over a decade. We are thankful for the opportunity to do our part in making a difference.”
Overall, the match raised more than $3.7 million for the Regional Food Bank.
“We, along with our fellow Oklahomans, remain dedicated to fighting hunger in our state” said John Cresap, president of the Cresap Family Foundation. “We are immensely proud to partner with our community in support of the mission of the Regional Food Bank.”
For the third 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 newscasts. KOCO employees also donated their time to sort food, stock shelves and assist Oklahomans shopping at the Regional Food Bank Food & Resource Center.
Throughout the match, KOCO encouraged viewers to donate online or make a $10 donation through the Regional Food Bank’s text-to-give platform.
“Once again, Oklahomans and the Oklahoma Standard came through for Oklahomans in need of food assistance,” said Brent Hensley, president of KOCO 5. “We are so proud to be a part of this event and to serve our community with our great partner the Regional Food Bank. I’m proud to work with a team here at KOCO that believes in service to the community that we love.”
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.
