Rob: In this land of abundance, there are still those who go hungry, which
is why Oklahoma's Farm Bureau is trying to solve the problem.
Sam Knipp: Oklahoma's food banks are joining forces with the state's farmers
and ranchers to stomp out hunger.
They've launched a major campaign, Farmers Fighting Hunger.
Rodney Bivens: Oklahoma has always been known as an agricultural state, and
the agriculture community has always supported the food bank and our efforts
throughout the years.
And we're glad we're doing this promotion with the Farm Bureau again of
farmers fighting hunger.
Sam: As executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Rodney Bivens
has a front-row seat to hunger, and what it takes to eliminate the problem.
Rodney Bivens: Well, ultimately, the key is, people have the economic
means to be able to go to the grocery store and shop like anyone else and be
able to provide for their family.
The amazing part, the average family size we serve is three, with the
average annual income of $11,440 and that's $4,000 below the poverty level.
And so people constantly have to make decisions whether they can afford to
put gas in their car to get to work, whether they can afford to put food on
their table, whether they'll be able to afford to pay rent this month.
And so a lot of times they have to go in to emergency food closet at their local
church or local food pantry to get a box of food to get by that last
week or two weeks of the month.
Sam: The food bank will get a big boost the weekend of November 9th
through the 11th; that's when Farm Bureau members will gather for their
annual meeting at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
Members are asked to bring non-perishable goods.
Farm Bureau President, Steve Kouplen, explains why his organization is
getting involved.
Steve Kouplen: To bring more into focus the fact that those of us who
produce food in this country realize the blight
of those that may be hungry.
You know, we're trying to put together a service, or a program that will bring
people's attention to the fact that we realize that situation exists out
there, and we're going to try to do something about it.
Sam: A booth manned by members of the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers
Committee, will be set up at the convention's
trade show for donation drop-offs.
Organizers say it's important to remember, this is a statewide effort
that will continue well beyond the November convention.
Bivens: Well, the two food banks, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma,
and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, we serve all 77 counties in Oklahoma,
and obviously it serves our interests as well as the farmers' interests.
We can link those two things together, people who are hungry that need
food and food that's being produced in our state, somehow to link those
better that we can get, maybe glean crops in the fields, that are
mechanically produced or products that are being left in the fields that
maybe could be gleaned to be donated.
Make more awareness, among the farmers, there are people who are hungry in
this state, that need food.
And the other thing is just to make the general public aware of the fact
there are hungry people in our state, especially children.
Sam: Kouplen adds, this is just another example of how Oklahoma farmers are
always willing to share what little they may have.
Kouplen: Every producer that I'm aware of really loves the occupation
they're in, and they want to share that bounty
with those who are less fortunate.
So, it's just a way for them to help their fellow mankind.