Oct. 5, 2022 – Oklahoma City resident Tori Overton attended the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health Sept. 28 after being nominated by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Overton shared her past experiences of living with food insecurity during the conference, which was the first of its kind to be held in more than 50 years.

Overton and her daughter began receiving food assistance from the Bethel Foundation, a Regional Food Bank partner, after becoming homeless due to escaping an abusive relationship. Despite the hardships, Overton completed her associate’s degree from Rose State in 2016 and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020 and she now works in the social services industry. Her daughter attends the University of Oklahoma.

“My favorite quote is ‘broken crayons still color’,” Overton said. “I still have worth and value. I believe, I would have not gotten through my food insecurities if it wasn’t for the Regional Food Bank and Bethel Foundation.”

Overton was one of just 30 lived experience nominees selected by Feeding America from its network of 200 food banks across the country to attend the conference alongside Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America CEO, and other Feeding America leaders.

“I was delighted to see there is so much more we have to take into consideration, like eating healthy and having fresh quality affordable food to purchases for our families,” Overton said. “Being at the conference brought real emotions for me as I heard from others sharing their stories regarding homelessness, job loss and mental illness.”

The Biden-Harris administration announced its national strategy that identifies actions the government will take to catalyze the public and private sectors to reduce hunger in the United States during the conference.

“The Regional Food Bank was so proud to have Tori represent us at the White House conference. Her voice is vital to the fight against hunger in Oklahoma,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We can’t end hunger without the insight from our neighbors who are currently in need of food assistance or who have lived with food insecurity in the past.”

The national strategy on hunger includes goals to expand access to free meals in schools, expanding SNAP eligibility and extending summer meal benefits to children.