Tulsa, OK – Mayor Kathy Taylor announced today that her family has issued a challenge to Tulsans to feed hungry families this holiday season. "My family and I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But we want to be sure other families have access to nutritious meals this holiday season," Mayor Taylor said. "No child should go to bed hungry. If we work together, we can make an impact on hunger."
At a time when families gather and prepare to give thanks for their many blessings, nearly 16% of Oklahomans are food insecure, which means they lack consistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food. The USDA just issued a report that places Oklahoma as the fourth hungriest state in the nation. Just last year the state was ranked eighth. Now, one out of every five children is at risk of going to bed hungry every night.
The food intake of these Oklahomans is reduced and normal eating patterns are disrupted because the household lacks money and other resources for food. Yet less than 20 percent of these Oklahomans are classified as unemployed. Rather, more than one-third are disabled and/or retired, while the remaining 46 percent have at least one working member, but simply can't make ends meet.
"That's why we are challenging you to donate as you are able to this worthy cause," said Mayor Taylor. "More families than ever now require food assistance. It is time to step up and help our neighbors."
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is able to provide 7 full meals for every dollar that is donated. The Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation will match all donations, dollar for dollar, until the goal of $10,000.00 is reached. That donation will provide 70,000 full meals for Oklahomans through this holiday season.