Virtual “Stock the Station” Food Drive Kicks Off Nov. 8

11/5/2021

The City of Tulsa will kick-off its 11th Annual Stock the Station Food Drive on Monday, Nov. 8 that will help Tulsans in need this holiday season. However, this year’s food drive will be virtual, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of dropping off non-perishable food items at City facilities, residents can make a monetary donation to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

Donations can be made online by going to https://donate.okfoodbank.org/stockthestation2021. Citizens can click the “Give Now” button, then select the amount they would like to donate. The Community Food Bank can turn $1 into the equivalent of four meals for Tulsa families. Through the end of the year, the George Kaiser Family Foundation will match donations to the Food Bank up to $125,000.

Feeding America projects that because of the pandemic, one in six Oklahomans will experience food insecurity and one in four children will likely go to bed hungry.

“We hope Tulsans will join us in a spirit of giving this holiday season by helping our neighbors through our citywide virtual food drive,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “Last year was the first online drive for the city, and we raised more than $4,700, once again proving our reputation as being one of the most giving cities in the country.”

Beginning in 2020, the Food Bank distributed 3.7 million more pounds of food annually since the last pre-pandemic year. The Food Bank currently provides access to the equivalent of 525,000 meals per week for Oklahomans experiencing food insecurity.

“While the Food Bank serves Tulsa and all of eastern Oklahoma, we really function as an extension of the community,” Dan Stein, interim CEO for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, said. “Your support makes it possible for us to make difficult economic choices a little easier for our neighbors who work hard to pay their bills and put nourishing food on the table. When you help stock the station, a family right here in our community will eat better and have one less worry during the holiday season.”