Day of Giving: KOCO 5 partners with Regional Food Bank to help feed children before school year
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma is now the second-hungriest state in the nation, and some children who are about to head back to school don’t know where their next meal will come from.
So, KOCO 5 has partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma for a Day of Giving during our Food for Kids match campaign.
Food Insecurity in Oklahoma
With a 20.2 percent insecurity rate, Oklahoma ranks behind only Arkansas as the second-hungriest state. The Sooner State also ranks No. 1 in child food insecurity at 27.3 percent, up from 19.2 percent in 2020 and well above the national average of 14.4 percent.
Data shows that nearly 65 percent of Oklahoma children qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.
How you can help
During our Day of Giving on Wednesday and throughout our Food for Kids Match Campaign, which lasts through Sept. 30, each dollar will be matched up to $285,000.
To help, you can text “KidsOK” to 53-555 or donate online here. A $100 donation supports two children in a Food for Kids program for an entire school year.
>> Learn more about the match drive and how you can help in the video player below.
Food for Kids Match Drive
Donations will be matched by the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma; Mark and Beth Brewer; Expand Energy; Dolese Brothers Corporation; and David and Leslie Hudiburg.
Last school year, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma provided more than 2.8 million meals through Food for Kids programs. Those programs include the Backpack Program, the Kids Cafe, the School Pantry Program, and the Summer Feeding Program.
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