AARP Oklahoma is challenging all Oklahomans to sign a pledge to end hunger in the Sooner State.
The pledge is a commitment to do one of three things every month:
- Text “hunger” to 50555 to donate $10*
- Volunteer at your local food pantry
- Donate non-perishable food to your local food pantry
Volunteers unveiled the pledge challenge in front of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy when it made a stop recently in Oklahoma City. Many of those who came out to see the car signed the pledge at that time.
As part of the event, a proclamation was read by Governor Mary Fallin declaring 2011 as “Drive to End Hunger Year.”
“Hunger, especially among older Oklahomans is a real problem,” said AARP Volunteer Ben Johnson who is also a member of the Oklahoma Food Security Committee. “AARP’s goal is to connect Oklahomans with opportunities to give and volunteer and to raise awareness of this issue in the state.”
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 600,000 Oklahomans were living in food insecure households, meaning that they lacked access to enough food to fully meet their basic need. In Oklahoma, 6.8% of seniors are food insecure which makes older Oklahomans 25% more likely to be food insecure than the national average.
Additionally, AARP Oklahoma is working to distribute information and enroll more people in SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. SNAP is a monthly income supplement funded by the federal government to help low-income families meet a portion of their food needs.
*A $10.00 donation will go to AARP FOUNDATION. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Message and data rates may apply. You will receive two confirmation texts. Reply STOP to 50555 to STOP. Reply HELP to 50555 for HELP (Full Terms).
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