Food Bank Receives $50K Grant to Address Childhood Hunger

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – March 15, 2021 – The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma has received a $50,000 grant from Morgan Stanley to support the nonprofit’s efforts to better support households with children living in communities hardest hit by hunger in Comanche County.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding America cites that 26% of Black children and 18% of Latino children nationwide live in a food insecure household, compared to 12% of white children. In Comanche County, 22% of children are food insecure.

“Morgan Stanley and our Foundations have been dedicated to giving children a healthy start to life and fighting food insecurity is a crucial part of that commitment,” said Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley. “Communities of color have been hit hardest by the pandemic, so we are especially proud to support Feeding America in their efforts to deliver vital food services to families around the country who need it most.”

The Regional Food Bank is one of 50 Feeding America member food banks to receive a Morgan Stanley grant to specifically work with partners, such as food pantries and school districts, to reach more households with children and respond more effectively in communities of color.

“This donation will make a substantial impact in Comanche County and help us deepen our relationships with community partners on the frontlines in the fight against hunger,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so grateful for Morgan Stanley’s thoughtful and generous investment.”

Through the grant, the Regional Food Bank will provide racial equity training to its partners in Comanche County and work with community organizations and agencies to improve racial and cultural equity in the area. Partners will also receive technology upgrades to better collect data on the communities they serve. Forming deeper relationships with community organizations and collecting more detailed data will help the Regional Food Bank identify sustainable approaches to supporting communities with high rates of food insecurity.

The Regional Food Bank envisions an Oklahoma where no one goes hungry. Learn more about the Regional Food Bank by visiting rfbo.org.

About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 41 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit morganstanley.com.

About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is leading the fight against hunger in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma and envisions a state where no one goes hungry. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank is the state’s largest domestic hunger-relief 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes food through a network of community- based partner agencies and schools. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. To join the fight to end hunger, visit rfbo.org.