Aug. 7, 2020 – The move to remote working amidst the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the Burgess Company, in partnership with the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Interior Designers (OBA), to develop the Credits for a Cause program, which raised $5,765 for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, licensed architects and designers are required to maintain a level of education credits to retain their license. In lieu of the typical in-person training with a provided meal, the Burgess Company and OBA partnered to provide virtual training during the months of May and June. The money typically allotted for meals was donated to the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs and the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma. The donation to the Regional Food Bank is matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to the Food for Kids Match.

“We love to see Oklahoma companies finding innovative ways during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to give back to the communities where they live and work,” said Deb Bunting, interim CEO of the Regional Food Bank. “The Burgess Company and OBA will help to provide 46,120 meals to Oklahomans living with food insecurity thanks to the generous donation of their meal funds.”

The 15 online courses offered during the Credits for a Cause Program saw more than 209 individual participants in 23 different states.

“This spring and summer, Oklahomans saw many disruptions to their normal business practices. Burgess Company wanted to come up with a creative way to continue to deliver professional education opportunities to our customers, while also giving back to our neighbors in need,” said Erika Wright, architectural consultant at the Burgess Company. “With back-to-school season near, many of our school children and their families rely on the Regional Food Bank’s Backpack Program to supplement nutrition in their homes.”

One in four Oklahoma children live with food insecurity, a number expected to worsen amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.

“The Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Interior Designers is excited and proud to have partnered with Burgess Company to provide Oklahoma licensees with necessary continuing education opportunities in a way that also gave back to Oklahoma and its citizens during a time of need,” said Lauren Vaughn, OBA enforcement compliance officer.

The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Dolese Bros., Mark and Beth Brewer, David and Lezlie Hudiburg and David Gorham have issued the Food for Kids Match challenge. Through Sept. 30, every donation made to the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Programs will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $160,000. Learn more about the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids Match by visiting foodforkids.us.