Feb. 10, 2022 – The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Holiday Match campaign will help provide more than 13 million meals to Oklahomans facing hunger. The match was made possible thanks to sponsors APMEX, the Cresap Family Foundation and an anonymous donor. KOCO 5 News partnered with the Regional Food Bank to promote the match with special programming dedicated to fighting hunger in Oklahoma.

“The last few years have been tough for everyone, especially those who have found themselves in need of food assistance for the first time. The generosity of everyone who donated to the Holiday Match helps the Regional Food Bank get closer to our vision of an Oklahoma where no one goes hungry,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so thankful for our match sponsors and partners whose leadership has helped make an incredible impact on hunger in Oklahoma.”

Gifts from APMEX, the Cresap Family Foundation and an anonymous donor matched every donation made, up to $500,000, between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15.

“Seeing our community come together to serve those in need brings me so much joy,” said Ken Lewis, chief executive officer of APMEX. “Our decade-long partnership with the Regional Food Bank means so much to us because we know we are making a difference for our neighbors struggling with food insecurity in Oklahoma City.”

Overall, the match raised more than $3.4 million for the Regional Food Bank.

“Our fellow Oklahomans have risen to the challenge and once again exceeded expectations in the Holiday Match campaign,” said John Cresap, president of the Cresap Family Foundation. “We are immensely proud to partner with APMEX and support the mission of the Regional Food Bank.”

For the second 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 national sports broadcasts and newscasts. KOCO employees also donated their time to pack food in the Regional Food Bank’s Volunteer Center during the Holiday Match.

Throughout the match, KOCO encouraged viewers to donate online or make a $10 donation through the Regional Food Bank’s text-to-give platform. Overall, KOCO viewers raised $30,500 through the text-to-give-platform.

“Growing up in Oklahoma, I’ve seen firsthand how food insecurity impacts local families,” said Shawnda Adams, KOCO 5 news director. “In our newscasts, we’ve shared stories that broke our hearts and we were determined to help. I’m so proud of how our entire team jumped in to support this incredible effort with the Regional Food Bank.”

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.