One in six Oklahomans is at risk of going hungry. That’s why the City of Tulsa will host another citywide food drive. Stock the Station will take place Oct. 21 – Nov. 21 and citizens are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at any City of Tulsa fire station, police station or City-County Library.
“This year it was my goal to offer more food drop-off locations than in years past,” said Mayor Dewey Bartlett, “and we hope to put ample food on the tables of those in need just in time for Thanksgiving.”
“We will have food collection boxes in the City Council office lobby at City Hall as well,” said District 5 City Councilor Karen Gilbert. “I speak for all of the councilors when I say please donate if you are able. Currently one in four Oklahoma children will go to bed hungry and that is un-acceptable,” Gilbert said.
CFBEO Executive Director Eileen Bradshaw said, “The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma will be the recipient of the food collected by the citywide food drive. We will then deliver goods to many of our 450 partner agencies located in 24 counties of Eastern Oklahoma for distribution to families in need. We are so grateful to City leaders for this effort.” Items needed for the food drive include cereal, rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and peanut butter.
“I remember needing many of those items during the 2007 ice storm. We leaned on the Food Bank to help us and now we are paying it forward. We collect canned goods instead of candy each Halloween and are so happy to see the City collecting food as well,” said Tulsa mom Nancy Kerwin-Darling.
Food collection boxes have been placed in several City of Tulsa buildings so that most employees and citizens who visit those buildings can contribute to the Stock the Station food drive as well. City employees make it personal by typically holding a Bedlam-theme competition for the food drive. Tenants of One Technology Center are also encouraged to donate to the three large bins that have been placed on the third floor of City Hall.
Cox Media Group partnered with the Food Bank to help spread the word about Stock the Station. Mix96 will be holding a donation contest in which the winner can choose from a dinner for 10 at a Tulsa Fire Station or a children’s birthday party at a Tulsa Fire Station. Mix96 plans to provide the food and the firefighters plan to cook it along with giving a tour of the station and sending children home with a play fire helmet.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma can turn $1 into seven meals. Citizens are encouraged to make cash donations as well. To donate, please visit www.cfbeo.org and click the “Donate Now” button. Please remember to choose Stock the Station in the drop-down menu so funds can be earmarked for the citywide food drive.