Executive Director, Rodney W. Bivens
Rodney W. Bivens is the founder and executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Bivens founded the Regional Food Bank in 1980, after his work with other non-profit agencies led him to witness what hunger can do to individuals and families, and out of his personal conviction that no one should have to face the tragedy of being without food in a state and nation blessed with so much abundance.
Born and raised in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Bivens and his three older brothers grew up on a farm just outside of town. After his father was disabled in a car accident, the Bivens' family came to rely on friends, family and church to help them keep food on their table. This experience left Bivens with a unique perspective on the impact of hunger on children and families in Oklahoma.
Under his leadership, the Regional Food Bank has grown rapidly to fulfill the need for food in central and western Oklahoma. In its first year of operation, the Regional Food Bank distributed 280,000 pounds of food, which is now done in about 3 days. The non-profit provides enough food to feed 77,000 people every week with administrative and fundraising costs of less than 5 percent. Since its inception in 1980, the Food Bank has distributed more than 321 million pounds.
Bivens and his team at the Regional Food Bank developed one of the first rural distribution systems in the country, which has become a model for other food banks. The Regional Food Bank currently serves 700 charitable feeding programs and elementary schools throughout 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma, and distributes nationally donated product to four other food banks in Kansas, Texas and New Mexico, as well.
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is a pioneer in piloting and implementing technology for increased efficiency in food distribution. The Regional Food Bank was the first in the nation to implement an online inventory and agency ordering system. In addition, its trucks utilize GPS technology for more efficient routing and food pickup.
Bivens has also shepherded other innovative programs into existence at the Regional Food Bank, including Urban Harvest, an urban sustainable agriculture program that aims to teach individuals and community groups to grow their own food organically. Most recently, the Regional Food Bank implemented Food 4 Kids, an emergency food assistance program designed specifically for elementary school children. Started in the winter of 2003 as a pilot program in five urban elementary schools, the program will end the 2008-2009 school year serving nearly 8,000 chronically hungry elementary school children in 263 schools in 38 central and western Oklahoma counties.
As the founder of the 21st food bank in the United States, Bivens has 29 years' worth of experience in fighting hunger, and is seen as a leader in the food banking arena. In this capacity, he has served on the board of directors of Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) for 12+ years in various positions. He serves on the National Disaster Relief Task Force where he most recently set up a warehouse to distribute 8 million pounds of relief supplies in less than four weeks during hurricane Katrina and Rita in the New Orleans area.
Bivens has dedicated his entire professional life to social services and improving the quality of life in central Oklahoma. Before founding the Food Bank, he was Director of Hunger and Aging at Neighborhood Services Organization, and Director of Social Services at the Mary Mahoney Health Center. He was awarded the prestigious John Van Hengel award in 2007 in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the fight against hunger. Most recently, the Oklahoma Center for Non Profits recognized the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma as the Outstanding Non Profit for the state.
Bivens holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Southeastern State College. He is a graduate of Class IV of Leadership Oklahoma City & a member of the Alumni Association, board member of the Homeless Alliance, member of the national Executive Director's Forum, and member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
