Van Buren Elementary School Students Raced to Fight Hunger

“Run for Life Promotion Raised $547 for Regional Food Bank”

(OKLAHOMA CITY) –The results are in for Van Buren Elementary School’s Run for Life recess competition. After spending countless hours planning, promoting and running throughout the school year, these passionate students raised $547 for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
“The Run for Life Running Club is a great way to promote healthy lifestyle choices, while supporting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma,” said Kristi Stone, Van Buren Elementary School physical education teacher. “We are so glad that our students have a wonderful organization, like the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, to learn about and support.”
Van Buren Elementary School students were invited to join the club and paid a $2.50 per semester membership fee, which is donated to the Regional Food Bank. During recess, students ran around the school and tracked their efforts. This year, 132 students participated in the competition and ran 1,349 miles.
“I want to thank Van Buren Elementary School, and its students, for their dedication to fighting hunger in Oklahoma,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “This year, their donation will provide 2,188 meals for chronically hungry children, hardworking families and seniors living on fixed incomes over the summer. Thank you.”
Run for Life began in 2012, when the school developed the program to promote healthy lifestyle choices for their students and to teach them about giving back to their community. Over the last five years, students have raised more than $3,000 through their Run for Life program.
Join the Regional Food Bank in fighting hunger this summer. Volunteers are urgently needed to pack meals for the Summer Feeding Program. Volunteer shifts are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. At least 25 volunteers are needed per shift each day to ensure that the meals will be available for children over the summer. Sign up to volunteer at regionalfoodbank.org/volunteer or call 405-600-3160.
The Regional Food Bank’s Summer Feeding Program provides free meals to children 18 and under over the long summer months, when free and reduced price meals are not available at school. For more information visit regionalfoodbank.org or call 405-972-1111.