Welcome to The Feed — a quick update about the tremendous impact YOU — our donors, partner agencies, volunteers, and the eastern Oklahoma community make! We could not fight hunger without you!
Celebrating a Life Changing Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Legacy Grant
The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma celebrated a three-year, $9.4 million Legacy Grant from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to launch FEEDOK, a statewide initiative designed to significantly expand access to nutritious, ready-to-heat meals for food-insecure students in all 77 Oklahoma counties. Developed by the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and supported through a distribution partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, by December 2028, FEEDOK is projected to serve more than 1.7 million meals annually and reach 200 schools statewide! With nearly one in four Oklahoma children experiencing food insecurity, FEEDOK represents a transformative investment in child health, nutrition, and educational success. We are grateful to the TSET Board Members and staff who attended this special event as well as Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, community members, partners, and our own staff and board members!
Dine Out and Make a Difference During
Hunger Action Month
September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and take action to help ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious meals. One of the easiest and most delicious ways to make a difference is by participating in TulsaPeople’s Restaurant Week, which benefits the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids programs. During Restaurant Week (September 18 - September 27), participating restaurants donate a portion of proceeds to help fight childhood hunger in our community. Every meal enjoyed assists local children and families who face food insecurity every day. We encourage you to dine out, support local restaurants, and join us in making a meaningful impact throughout Hunger Action Month.
Future Engineers, Architects and Accountants Give Back
We were honored to welcome team members, leaders and student interns from Wallace Design Collective as part of the firm's 45th Anniversary Celebration and Community Service Initiative. Driven by their core purpose of "making lives better," Wallace Design Collective selected the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma as a community service partner, bringing together seasoned professionals and the next generation of industry leaders for a meaningful day of volunteer service.
Pantry Highlight
New Partner Agencies
The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is proud to welcome two new partner agencies to our network, strengthening our collective fight against hunger across eastern Oklahoma. First United Methodist Church of Eufaula operates a food pantry alongside our existing partner, Friendship Kitchen. Every Saturday, neighbors can select groceries from a variety of food options and enjoy a meal at the soup kitchen while their pantry orders are prepared. New Day Kitchen and Food Pantry in Miami provides both pantry and meal services to local families. The agency benefits greatly from the Hunters Against Hunger program by offering venison to neighbors in need. This summer, they also participated in the Summer Meals Program, helping ensure children had access to nutritious food while school was out. These new partnerships expand access to food assistance and bring us one step closer to a hunger-free eastern Oklahoma.
| Volunteer Highlight |
EY & ONEOK
The Food Bank welcomed two exceptional intern groups: 10 interns from Ernst & Young (EY) and 44 interns from ONEOK. Together, they generously gave their time to support our mission and make a meaningful impact in the community. Both organizations invest in developing future leaders through hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and real-world experience. Their internship programs provide valuable opportunities for students and young professionals to build skills and explore career paths. During their volunteer service, the interns bagged 2,880 pounds of rice for distribution through our partner agencies. We are grateful for their dedication and support in helping us serve our neighbors in need.
Advocacy Spotlight
SNAP
As Oklahoma’s legislative interim studies begin, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma continues advocating for policies that protect access to nutritious food. We are closely monitoring Oklahoma’s SNAP payment error rate, which was reported at approximately 11% in FY2025, and support efforts to give the state additional time to improve before facing federal penalties. Protecting SNAP is essential for helping families afford food and reducing strain on food banks. These efforts are especially critical as Oklahoma ranks among the nation’s hungriest states and has the highest rate of child food insecurity. We also continue to advocate for a strong Farm Bill and look forward to working with lawmakers and partners to strengthen nutrition assistance, support agriculture, and ensure Oklahomans have reliable access to food.
Did You Know?
Did you know our volunteers donated 64,189 hours of service last year? That’s the equivalent of watching TV nonstop for seven straight years.
In the News
We are grateful for all the local, regional, statewide, and even national news coverage our programs receive! Check out some of the coverage below:
Community raises more than $90K to help fight child hunger in Oklahoma – NewsOn6.com
SNAP cuts drive families to Oklahoma food banks – NewsOn6.com
FOX23 Community Cookbook: Cowboy Caviar
Wallace Design Collective interns volunteer at Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma – NewsOn6.com
College interns spend day serving at Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
