Lacie Richardson spent several years, as both a parent and volunteer, with a local school district where many of the students dealt with food insecurity. And it left a lasting impression.
“When children don’t have access to nutritious food, it greatly impacts their ability to perform in the classroom and on the field,” she says.
But she saw how much good the Regional Food Bank was doing in local schools to help feed hungry children. That sparked her interest in getting involved, and today, she’s on our Board of Directors.
Lacie, a senior vice president at Bank of Oklahoma, is one of many BOK employees who have worked with us over the years — including almost 800 volunteers. BOK is one of our faithful supporters, and we couldn’t do our work without such generous corporate sponsors.
Since 1998, BOK has donated about $75,000 to the Regional Food Bank. They’ve also sponsored our Hope’s Harvest fundraising luncheon and several other programs and events. And they’ve donated almost a quarter-million pounds of food over the years. Lacie is just the latest of several BOK employees to serve on our board, and a number of bank employees have graduated from our Leadership Council for young professionals.
“As a company, BOK Financial and Bank of Oklahoma’s commitment to advancing our community is more than a commitment — it’s our culture,” says Vonnie Garner, a VP in BOK’s Communications department who has also served with the Regional Food Bank’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Vonnie explains that BOK Financial has four pillars of giving — Basic Needs, Education, Economic Development and United Way.
“The Regional Food Bank is a perfect fit,” she says, “as its mission is to provide for the most basic of needs: to provide meals to Oklahomans living with hunger.”
We are so grateful for corporate sponsors like Bank of Oklahoma!
