OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin kicked off her third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive with the goal of raising 1.2 million meals to help feed hungry families, children and seniors this holiday season. The month long food and fund drive will benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and their partner agencies across the state.

“Time and again, Oklahomans prove to be the most caring and giving individuals in the nation,” Fallin said. “Last year, Oklahomans from all 77 counties came together and donated well over one million meals during the holiday season. This year, we can do even more for the hungry in our state.”

According to the USDA, Oklahoma ranks as the fifth-hungriest state in the nation, with more than 675,000 Oklahomans struggling with hunger every day.  The Oklahoma food banks provide enough food to feed more than 150,000 people each week with demand increasing during the holiday season.

“Governor Fallin’s food and fund drive means so much in the fight against hunger in our state,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank.  “Every dollar donated provides five meals for Oklahomans who are struggling to keep food on their table during the difficult winter months. We are grateful for the past generosity of Oklahomans and hopeful for another season of giving.”

Non-perishable food items can be donated at all BancFirst locations, Love’s Travel Stops, and Verizon Wireless stores throughout Oklahoma, as well as the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and all partner agencies. Monetary gifts can be made online at www.feedoklahoma.org.  UPS will pick up donations from BancFirst and Love’s locations in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas and deliver those to the Oklahoma food banks.

Bivens stressed that the most needed items include: canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned tuna, peanut butter and rice and beans.

Co-chairing the statewide food and fund drive for Governor Fallin are businesswomen Laure Majors, Laura Watts and Marcia MacLeod.

The food and fund drive runs through Nov. 15 and Governor Fallin is encouraging businesses, organizations and individuals to make donations to her Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive in order to meet the needs of our hungry neighbors this winter. For a complete list of participating businesses, or to make a monetary donation online, visit www.feedoklahoma.org.  All donations are tax deductible and will benefit hungry Oklahomans.  For more information, e-mail feedingoklahoma2012@yahoo.com.