Regional Food Bank Calls For Help
Volunteers Are Needed This Summer More Than Ever
May 3, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is turning to the community for assistance in a time when it needs volunteers more than ever as food distribution increases with demand.
“We are looking for able-bodied people who are willing to help, and we have even extended our Open Volunteering hours to accommodate the increase in need,” said Jamie Treadaway, volunteer recruiter for the Regional Food Bank. “Experienced volunteers who have helped at the Regional Food Bank several times are especially needed to assume a leadership role for our newer volunteers.”
Volunteers help with a number of projects including food sorting for the Summer Feeding, a summer program that provides a free breakfast, lunch or both to children ages 1 to 18 beginning in early June. They also assist with packing and sorting donated items into family size servings. Right now, there is more than 400,000 pounds of bulk frozen vegetables that are not accessible until they are sorted.
Volunteers also pack Food 4 Kids sacks, mentor at Kids Cafe sites, distribute food to seniors, work in the Urban Harvest community garden, work special events like the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, and much more. Approximately 30 volunteers are still needed to sort donations from the Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 8th at various post offices around the metro. Last year, 450 volunteers helped sort the 385,000 pounds of food donations from metro area residents.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Regional Food Bank. Because of the work that volunteers do, the organization is able to provide enough food to feed more than 77,000 Oklahomans each week throughout 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Last year, thousands of volunteers donated nearly 48,000 hours of service, saving the Regional Food Bank $900,000 in labor.
“Without our volunteers, we would not be able to help feed hungry Oklahomans,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. “Every food pantry box that is packed, or Summer Feeding sack that is assembled, makes a difference in the life of a hungry Oklahoman. Thank you for your support.”
Open volunteering hours are available in the Regional Food Bank’s Volunteer Center, which is located at 3355 S. Purdue in Oklahoma City, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, with no appointment necessary. Other volunteer opportunities are available by appointment from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jamie Treadaway at 405.600.3154 or e-mail jtreadaway@regionalfoodbank.org. For more information, visit regionalfoodbank.org.
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The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is a private, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that acts as a link through which the food industry and community may donate food and other goods. The products are then distributed to nearly 700 schools and charitable feeding programs in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. In the last fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed 28.5 million pounds of food and product to help the charitable community effectively feed people in need. Since its inception in 1980, the Food Bank has distributed more than 321 million pounds of food to feed Oklahoma’s hungry.
