Updated May 12, 2023 (Originally posted April 27, 2023) – The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma continues to provide emergency assistance to communities impacted by severe weather on April 19.

“The Regional Food Bank is often among the first to respond following a disaster like the tornadoes that impacted both Pottawatomie and McClain counties last week,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “With each disaster, we collaborate with other nonprofits and community entities along with our network of partners to ensure both emergency needs are met and needs are identified during short- and long-term recovery efforts.

“For the communities impacted last week, we have been making daily deliveries of food, water and other assistance as requested and will continue to do so until the need is met,” Dykstra added.

As of April 27, the Regional Food Bank has delivered more than 6,000 boxes of food including ready-to-eat items and shelf stable food and nearly 4,800 cases of bottled water to the Shawnee area. The organization has also provided a refrigerated, 53-foot trailer to Community Renewal for use at the Oklahoma Baptist University Green Campus disaster relief and volunteer center and a second trailer to the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to support their feeding operations throughout the area. The day after the storms, the Regional Food Bank delivered three generators to the Community Market of Pottawatomie County to use until power was restored.

In McClain County, first responders requested ice for the Cole community and the Regional Food Bank delivered more than 300 bags of ice in the days following the storm and has since also delivered multiple pallets and cases of shelf stable food.

A Multi-Agency Resource Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 at Goldsby Community Center, 164 E. Center Road to anyone impacted by April 19, 20 and May 11 storms. 

The Regional Food Bank is a long-standing member of the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD). Together with other OKVOAD members, the Regional Food Bank works to mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters through an effective delivery of services to affected communities.

“Through OK-VOAD and as part of the Feeding America network of food banks, the Regional Food Bank is able to provide the resources to help communities with immediate access to food and water and other resources,” Dykstra said. “Working with fellow VOAD members and our partners in affected communities, we strive to provide the type of aid that helps lessen the burden of our neighbors.

“I am so proud of our staff who have stepped up to ensure we are responding as quickly as possible and delivering the needed resources,” Dykstra added.

In Pottawatomie County, residents impacted by the April 19 severe weather should contact the United Way of Pottawatomie County, the American Red Cross or call 2-1-1. In McClain County, residents impacted should contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross. Residents in both impacted areas can also register for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov.

To support recovery work in affected areas, donations can be made to any of the more than 50 state-based nonprofit organizations who comprise OK-VOAD by visiting okvoad.org. Donations to support the work of the Regional Food Bank can be made at rfbo.org/donate or by calling 405-972-1111.