Aug. 29, 2022 – A gift from Chesapeake Energy has boosted the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Match. Along with the donation, Chesapeake Energy is challenging other businesses and organizations to support the fight against childhood hunger in Oklahoma.

All donations made through Sept. 30 to the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs are now matched up to $245,000 thanks to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Mark and Beth Brewer, Chesapeake Energy, David Gorham, Energy Transfer, David and Lezlie Hudiburg, Dolese Bros and Marathon Oil.

“Access to nutritious food is the key ingredient for children to grow both physically and in the classroom, and no child should worry about not getting enough,” said Nick Dell’Osso, chief executive officer of Chesapeake Energy. “Chesapeake is proud to support the annual Food for Kids Match and the Regional Food Bank’s continuous efforts to provide our community’s schoolchildren with the fuel and energy they need to feel and do their best.”

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the worst states for child food insecurity in the nation. The Regional Food Bank’s four Food for Kids Programs help children and their families in all 53 counties served by the Regional Food Bank in central and western Oklahoma.

“We are so thankful to Chesapeake Energy and our other match sponsors for stepping up to help ensure that all Oklahoma children have access to nutritious food,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We encourage Oklahomans to take advantage of the Food for Kids Match and double their impact in the fight against childhood hunger.”

The School Pantry Program, one of the four Food for Kids Programs, provides food for students in middle school and high schools. Gene, a coordinator at a Putnam City school, shared the following story of the program’s impact at home and in the classroom.

“We have a middle schooler that is very food insecure and we were able to get him shopping at our pantry. I truly believe that without the School Pantry Program his only meals would be at school. Being able to offer him a bag every week has helped him learn better in the classroom,” Gene said.

Make a donation to the Food for Kids Match today at foodforkids.us or call 405-600-3136. An automatic $10 donation can be made by texting “Kids” to 501-501.