Aug. 1, 2023 – Chronic food insecurity negatively impacts the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children. Through Sept. 30, every donation to the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs is matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $300,000 thanks to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy, Mark and Beth Brewer, Dolese Bros. Corp., Energy Transfer, David Gorham, David and Leslie Hudiburg and Marathon Oil.

“The Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs support children and their communities,” said John Logan, executive director of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma. “We are proud to work together to help provide this important match to ensure sure Oklahoma children have enough food on the table.”

KOCO 5 News joins as the official television sponsor of the Food for Kids Match. KOCO will feature stories highlighting the impact of the Regional Food Bank’s four Food for Kids Programs throughout the match.

Last school year, the Regional Food Bank provided nearly 2.4 million meals through its Food for Kids Programs. The Food for Kids Programs are the Backpack Program, the School Pantry Program, the Summer Feeding Program and Kids Cafés.

“The Regional Food Bank is so grateful to our Food for Kids match sponsors who have stepped up to help provide much-needed, nutritious meals to one of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations: children,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We encourage everyone to double the impact of their donations by making a gift today.”

The School Pantry Program provides chronically hungry middle and high school students with food to sustain them after school and over weekends. The Summer Feeding Program provides free meals and snacks to children up to the age of 18 throughout the summer months when school is not in session. Many children in Oklahoma lack access to proper nutritious meals outside of school, so these programs are essential for their well-being.

Kids Cafés are afterschool and school break programs that provide meals and snacks as well as tutoring and mentor services to children. The Backpack Program provides kid-friendly, nutritious food to elementary school children who have been identified by school staff as being food insecure.

A $100 donation to the Food for Kids match will support two children in one of the Food for Kids Programs for an entire school year. Make a donation today at foodforkids.us.