Drive Out Hunger Food Drive Benefits Local Communities

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is partnering with Homeland Stores for Drive Out Hunger: A Community-wide Food Drive, July 12 to 17. During the food drive, Oklahomans are encouraged to donate nonperishable, shelf stable food at store locations throughout the Regional Food Bank's 53-county service area in central and western Oklahoma. 

Food donation boxes will be available in 56 Homeland, United Supermarkets, Cash Saver and Food Pyramid locations. Click here to find a location near you. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for Oklahomans. In the past year we have seen a up to 30% increase in the need for food assistance," said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. "The pandemic has also greatly impacted the amount of food we receive from food drives, including the loss of a food drive that brings in more than 760,000 pounds of donated food each year.” 

On July 17, the Regional Food Bank will be on-site at 16 metro store locations to collect food donations via drive-thru lines. 

“As an employee-owned, Oklahoma-based company we are passionate about helping Oklahomans put food on the table,” said Marc Jones, president and chief executive officer of Homeland. “Our customers and our employee owners are proud of our partnership with the Regional Food Bank and the essential support it and its partner agencies provide across our state. This food drive is just one way we are working to live up to our mission of being a company of Oklahomans feeding Oklahomans.”

Most needed items include: canned meats, meat-based soups, canned fruits, canned vegetables, peanut butter, rice and beans along with healthier options like low sodium items, whole grains and fruit in 100% juice. 

"We encourage Oklahomans to join us during this drive and help stock the shelves at food pantries in your community," Dykstra said. “We are so thankful to partner with Homeland to help provide nutritious food to our neighbors living with hunger."

All food donated during the drive will go directly to a Regional Food Bank partner where it will be distributed in the community where it was collected.