food for

IN THIS ISSUE:Don’t Let Our Superheroes go Hungry

PAGE PAGE4 5Giving Spirits Take a Seat for

the Holidays

TH UGHT

DECEMBER 2018

RESTAURANT WEEK 2018

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OURVISION

LETTER FROM THEEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMBERS

Mike McAndrewsPresident

Tom HutchisonVice President

Jason SmithTreasurer

Lori Lewis DryerSecretary

Eric M. KunkelImmediate Past President

Shelley AllenLex AndersonChris Cloyde

Randy CowlingDonna McElroy Dutton

Rich FickenMercedes Millberry Fowler

Jenna GarlandJason Glass

Vanessa Hall-HarperCynthia Hubbard

Jeanne JacobsKurt Kazmierski

Scott LewisAnthony Phillips

Colleen Almeida SmithCarol Tandy

Food security, with dignity for all

eastern Oklahomans.

hank you Tulsa People Magazine and the 50 participating restaurants whose

efforts drove the most successful Restaurant Week ever. Diners enjoyed unique eating experiences, including new eateries and supporting their favorites as they helped fight hunger in Oklahoma. Thanks to Antoinette’s Baking Company, Chimera, Laffa,

Dear Friends of the Food Bank,

ill you count food on your list of blessings this year? I will. It is something I shouldn’t

take for granted: more than 635,000 of our fellow Oklahomans are uncertain where or how they’ll get their next meal. I might worry about burning the Thanksgiving turkey, but many must worry that there will be no food on their tables at all. One pantry client told me of her Thanksgiving tradition, which asks each child and adult in the family to express gratitude for someone or something. Even with half empty plates, they still have so much for which to be thankful. This simple ritual reminded me once again that we are all so alike.

Those who struggle with hunger may have a holiday with less abundance than some, but they are not different. They are our neighbors and despite challenges, they’re counting their blessings too. In the pages of this newsletter, you will read about some of the struggles that people face, and some of the work being done to help them. The work is only possible because you care enough to help. When I count my blessings, I count you and the other generous residents of eastern Oklahoma who care about feeding their neighbors—thank you.

On Behalf of the Hungry,Eileen

and Prairie Brew Pub for hosting this year’s kick off event night. Please find a complete list of participating restaurants on our website, okfoodbank.org/restaurant-week. Be sure to say thank you when you dine at any of these fine establishments in the near future. Feed you next year!

arm to Food Bank is a pilot program and an example of how conservation is key

to fighting hunger. The program is designed to improve soil health which is vital to producing enough food to feed everyone on the planet. The harvest from the program goes to feed people who are hungry now. Scotty Herriman is involved in the local conservation district where he learned of the Farm to Food Bank program. He wanted to get it started in eastern Oklahoma and was quick to offer to grow a crop on his property. “When I learned the program was going to help people, I was glad to do this. The plants worked well as cover crop and the bonus is they are also edible for people. With the weather this year, it surprised me how much we grew. I would do this again next year and hope we do even better.” The morning of the harvest started

hrough the generous support from the people of eastern Oklahoma, the Food Bank has

distributed over 300 million pounds of food over the last 37 years. That

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FROM COVER CROPS TO TABLETOPS

100 MILES OF FOOD

in dreary fashion, as a small group of volunteers gathered and rain dribbled down. Mr. Herriman decided to persevere through the weather and go ahead with the harvest. The two-acre field was planted in “chaos” fashion, meaning seeds for the cover crops planted to enrich the soil were scattered at random. It was like a treasure hunt walking through the field

is enough food to fill over 9,230 big rig trucks, which if placed end to end would stretch all the way from Tulsa to Norman, or would feed every resident of Paterson, NJ,

finding produce. Mr. Herriman was surprised the quickly harvested food filled nearly six totes with pumpkins and squash. The gleanings from his field were distributed to families by the Lenapah Community Food Pantry, a local Partner Agency of the Food Bank.

Conservation of Land Resources Helps to Provide Fresh Food Where It is Needed

population 148,678, for an entire year. The Food Bank has evolved, grown, and become more efficient over the years. What initially started to aid the Tulsa area, now serves a 21,000 square mile service area and includes all the 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. During this time, one thing has remained constant, the desire to provide food to people who are hungry in a way that keeps their dignity intact. Feeding hungry neighbors is a humanitarian process that has been around as long as communities have worked together. Over these 37 years, your generosity has made the Food Bank a conduit of getting food to people in need. You have been our partner and guarantor in this endeavor. Thank you.

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JOIN A GROUP

DON’T LET OUR SUPERHEROES GO HUNGRY.

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Women’s Council, Girls Night Out Friends of the Food Bank, Hops for Hunger

iving back to your community can be as fun as it is rewarding when you join a group of

like-minded people. Groups at the Food Bank will introduce you to others who share your concerns about making the world a better place and by taking action to fight hunger. The Women’s Council, Harvesters of Hope, supports the Food Bank through events and financial support. They will help us educate and advocate on behalf of the hungry. By marshalling this collective passion and ingenuity, Harvesters will significantly improve the lives of many. Their latest event, Girls Night Out during Hunger Action Month, brought hundreds of women to the Food Bank to educate themselves about hunger

issues while have a great night out. The Friends of the Food Bank is a group of young professionals dedicated to building a community of Food Bank supporters. Members help with fundraising events, join one of the board’s committees and recruit new members. Their first event, Hops for Hunger, found the group enjoying several local craft beers, great food, and live music.

To learn more about Women’s Council, visit okfoodbank.org/womens-council or contact Rochelle Dowdell at rdowdell@okfoodbank.org. To learn more about Friends of the Food Bank, visit okfoodbank.org/friends-of-the-food-bank or contact Jenna Murray at jmurray@okfoodbank.org.

fter leaving a traumatic relationship and starting over with her young son Joe, Rina

worries about her job and her future in this economy. Getting back on her feet, she is making ends meet, but she has trouble with extras like transportation and clothes. “Right now I’m afraid. I have to pay my rent and that’s important. I have to make sure that Joe has a roof over his head. I just

wish I could live better off my job.” Joe takes part in a new Food for Kids program, After School Fuel. The Food Bank has several partners such as the YMCA of Tulsa’s Go Program, that offer after-school programs with safe activities, enrichment, and a meal provided by the Food Bank. Rina volunteers at her son’s program helping the kids receive their food,

keeping them focused, and directing them in the clean-up process. “When I see all these children here and they’re actually eating and they’re hungry, it makes a difference. There are a lot of parents who can’t get home and give their children a nutritional meal.” For Rina and her son, After School Fuel is making a positive difference in their lives. “While he is in the program, I know he is getting a balanced meal. He comes home and is full and happy. I can spend that time at home teaching him and helping with his reading and getting him ready for bed.” Reflecting on the Food Bank supporters who helped make the food possible Rina said, “I know that a lot of children are going home and not eating. Come out and see the children. Come see how they eat, they’re hungry. Please don’t stop giving.” On behalf of all the children in Food for Kids programming, thank you.

Supporting Food for Kids Means More After School Fuel

GIVING SPIRITS 2018

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Still Sponsors

Barrel Sponsors

Carol Tandy FoundationMagellan Midstream Partners

NGL Energy PartnersOklahoma Beef CouncilOmni Air InternationalSherwood CompaniesWilliams Companies

Thanks to our featured mixologists for donating their time, talent, and product: Chloe Whilhite from Valkyrie, Jason Thompson and Meg Zich from Bird and Bottle, Logan Sweetwood from Hodges Bend, and Hank Hanewinkel from MixCo. We hope you will patronize their establishments and thank them for their support of Giving Spirits.

For a complete list of our sponsors, please visit our website okfoodbank.org/events/givingspirits.

Crossland ConstructionGable GotwalsMcAfee & Taft

Optimus IndustriesRuth Nelson Family Foundation

Tucker Nix

Cyclonic Valve Employees

ood Bank patrons joined Honorary Ambassadors Meredith & Payvand Fazel

and Lindy & Ryan Collins at the historic Cain’s Ballroom in November for Giving Spirits 2018. Guests enjoyed live music while sampling over 80 whiskeys from around the world, tasting whiskey cocktails created by host mixologists and attending seminars focused on the craft of whiskey making. A whiskey-inspired gourmet menu prepared by the Food Bank’s very own Chef Jeff Marlow and desserts by Katy’s Pantry kept supporters satisfied.

“It was such an honor to chair Giving Spirits 2018 and help support the amazing mission of the Food Bank. This one-of-a-kind event allowed us to gather with others in the community who share a passion for feeding our hungry neighbors. We appreciate the generosity and efforts of all of the event’s sponsors, vendors, donors and attendees.”

More than $130,000 was raised during the event. Thank you to everyone who attended and special thanks to our sponsors.

Giving Spirits Honorary Ambassadors, Payvand & Meredith Fazel and Lindy & Ryan Collins

arge and small companies know the importance of involvement in making their communities

a better place for all. A lot of people prefer to work for socially engaged companies. Cyclonic Valve Company

is one such company. They sponsor Empty Bowls, host a holiday food drive during, and this Halloween the company sponsored an employee costume party and funded a pack for the Backpack Program. John Graves is president of Cyclonic Valve Company.

“Tulsa is fortunate to have dozens of outstanding non-for-profit agencies. We think the Food Bank ranks at the top of that list in efficiency, outreach, quality of service and fulfillment of mission. The Food Bank continues to

be the primary source of sustenance and survival for hundreds and hundreds of our fellow Oklahomans every day. Our team members at Cyclonic are proud to continue our decade-long tradition of support.” Your company can show its Heart for the Hungry too. Interested in exploring new options? Contact Regan Leake at rleake@okfoodbank.org or (918) 936-4551.

HEART FOR THE HUNGRY

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WISHES GRANTED

TAKE A SEAT

hanks to the hosts and participants in this year’s Take A Seat events. For the

second year, Take A Seat events were held during Hunger Action Month. Thanks to a generous gift from Tom and Joanie Atkinson, all donations to Take a Seat were matched by $10,000. Around mahjong tables, a group of women led by Mimi Tarrasch and Terry Marcum had a great time. “Sometimes fundraising is less about working hard and more about finding the right group. Our mahjong players meet regularly anyway. We simply donated our winnings and personal contributions over three sessions to raise more than $1,700. We

enjoyed every second of playing and giving to such a worthy cause.” Take A Seat events can be hosted any time of the year. If you would like to host a food/drink event that

will support the mission of the Food Bank, we have all the tools you need for a successful

event. You can host family and friends from anywhere at any time

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ften low-income children rely on free or reduced price school breakfast and lunch

during the school year. When school is out, these meals are no longer a part of the day and families must make up the difference. This increased food expense can lead to increased hardship for a family that is already struggling to make ends meet. For more than 23% of children in eastern Oklahoma, summer isn’t fun because being hungry isn’t fun. To help meet this need, the Food Bank provided

320% more meals to children this summer. This was possible thanks to a generous matching grant from The Helmerich Trust. The Food Bank was able to meet the increased need of our Partner Agencies, as well as our direct summer feeding programs. Because of this grant your donations were matched dollar for dollar, helping to fill empty tummies. Below is a list of approved grant requests received from June 1 - October 31, 2018.

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“We enjoyed every second of playing and giving to such a worthy cause.”

$75,000 +The Common Bond Foundation – OperationsThe Helmerich Trust – Summer Programming$20,000 - $30,000:The Anderson Charitable Foundation – Senior ServingsFeeding America, thanks to Schwan’s Corporate Giving Foundation – Backpack ProgramSharna & Irvin Frank Foundation – OperationsHardesty Family Foundation – TransportationJohn W. & Jerry E. Marshall Foundation – Operations

$10,000 and under:Route 66 Patriot Fest – Veterans OutreachTyson Foods – Employee TrainingCase and Elfreda Zandbergen Charitable Foundation – Senior ServingsIf your company, foundation or organization has grant funding opportunities to share, please contact Fran Bevel, grants manager, at 918-936-4509 or fbevel@okfoodbank.org.

in Oklahoma and know that you are helping to provide food security, with dignity, for all eastern Oklahomans. Contact us at development@okfoodbank.org or 918-936-4556.

Hosting Never Felt So Good

TOGETHER WE...

...PAIRED FOOD AND CRAFT BEER

Thanks to Hanson for co-hosting the second Brewers’ Table. The event featured five excellent Oklahoma suds from Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing along with an exquisite pairing of food sensations from executive chef Jeff Marlow and the Culinary Team. The Hop Jam guitar was awarded, and guests enjoyed a unique experience at the Food Bank.

...KISSED A PIG FOR KIDS...WENT ON THE AIRAlways a good sport, News On Six anchor, Lori Fullbright kissed a pig, helping Food for Kids. News On Six efforts brought in over $20,000 to the Food Bank from this year’s State Fair. Fairgoers were able to make a donation, enter for a chance to win a camper from Camperland of Oklahoma, and vote for their favorite on-air personality to kiss a pig.

Thanks to Dr. Lars Freisberg who put up a challenge grant during Public Radio Tulsa’s Fall Fund Drive. For every pledge over $10 made to PRT, the Food Bank also received a donation from Dr. Freisberg. This challenge provided the opportunity for listeners of PRT to support two respected community organizations at once.

SCARE AWAY HUNGER

he Southern Branch of the Food Bank recently completed the third annual Scare Away

Hunger Food Drive. Over 5,600 pounds of food raised by elementary students in McAlester and Savanna schools will benefit struggling families in southeastern Oklahoma. Scare Away Hunger is possible thanks to the generous sponsors, The Bank NA, Best Quote Insurance, Clem Santine State Farm Insurance, Compass Capital Management, Kennedy Eyecare, LeNard Rhone

Farmers Insurance, and Sam Wampler’s Freedom Ford. The McAlester Branch serves the eight counties of southeastern Oklahoma through a network of 93 Partner Agencies. Last year it provided the equivalent of 2.2 million meals to people who are food insecure. If you would like to volunteer or support the McAlester Branch, contact Rebecca Kerns at 918-429-7755.

FILL THE PLATE

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he holiday season is upon us, and thanks to your generous support, the Food Bank will

make so many holidays brighter and more secure. Through the month of December you can help fill those plates with a gift to the Food Bank. Thanks to a $150,000 matching grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation, gifts will be matched dollar for dollar through December 31. For everyone who is facing the holidays with anxious thoughts concerning their next meal, you can make a big difference. May everyone’s holidays be bright.

Young Students Collect Food to Help Their Neighbors Hope for the Holidays

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Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma1304 N. Kenosha Ave.Tulsa, OK 74106

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDTulsa OK

Permit No.2370

The 23rd annual Empty Bowls will take place on

April 16th at the Cox Business Center.Join Honorary Chairs, Leslie Paris and

Ken Underwood for a night full of entertainment along with the presentation of our annual Hunger Awareness Award!

For information on sponsorships or tickets, go to

okfoodbank.org/events/emptybowls or contact Cathy Wilkie at 918-936-4544 or

cwilkie@okfoodbank.org.

EMPTY BOWLSA H U N G E R A W A R E N E S S D I N N E R

GIFT IDEAS TO FIGHT HUNGER SAVE THE DATECards this year were designed by Eric King. Eric is a proud Tulsa

native and recent graduate from Oklahoma State University’s School of Architecture. In his spare time, he sketches Tulsa’s most iconic buildings,

and is developing a collection of his work. To order cards, visit okfoodbank.org/holidaycards or contact DeAnna Pence

at 918-936-4556 or dpence@okfoodbank.org.

2018 Holiday Card Designs Are Here!

Food security, with dignity, for all...

Food security, with dignity, for all ... Food security, with dignity, for all...

Food security, with dignity, for all...