Combating Food Insecurity: The Third Annual Hops for Hunger Event

The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma constantly strives to combat hunger by providing food to those in need and creating fundraising events to heighten awareness of this widespread issue. Hops for Hunger is one of these events, and in the past two years, has rapidly become a popular and successful fundraiser to address the heartbreaking reality of hunger.

“Hops for Hunger has helped raise awareness in our community by engaging young professionals eager to make a difference in the work of food security,” states Haley Kardokus, Events Manager of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “For every dollar raised at this event, we can provide the equivalent of four meals to our neighbors who struggle with hunger.”

Dec. 16 of 2021 marks the third year that the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has held this event, and this year it will be held at McNellie’s downtown at 409 E. 1st Street in Tulsa and hosted by the Friends of the Food Bank Young Professionals Group.

“In the past, we hosted Hops for Hunger at the Food Bank, giving people an opportunity to see our warehouse and gain a firsthand understanding of our work,” says Kardokus. “Due to COVID, this year we have moved the event to an outside venue at McNellie’s to make sure we hold this event in a safe and accommodating way for anyone who would like to attend.”

Tickets to the event will provide entry, two free beers, a donation to the Community Food Bank, and the opportunity to meet and greet some of Tulsa’s best and brightest young professionals. Also provided is live entertainment from Ben Neikirk, a local singer-songwriter.

The number of people who struggle with hunger in our state is sadly higher than most people might expect.

“Feeding America projects that 1 in 6 Oklahomans, and an astounding 1 in 4 Oklahoma children experience food insecurity. That’s 230,000 people in eastern Oklahoma and 584,000 people statewide,” Kardokus reports.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for $25, but the entry price will increase at the door to $30. The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

“Founded in 1981, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is the largest private hunger-relief organization in eastern Oklahoma. With branches in Tulsa and McAlester, we provide greater access to food for people through a network of hundreds of programs and Partner Agencies in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. Programs include food pantries, meal sites, shelters, child and senior food programs, and veteran initiatives. In addition, the Food Bank helps raise public awareness about poverty, hunger, and the role of food banking in fighting hunger,” Kardokus summarizes. “Join us as we work together in fighting hunger and feeding hope.”

For more information about tickets, sponsorship opportunities or general questions contact: Haley Kardokus at eat0@eau0eav0eaw0 or, Michael Dixon at eat1@eau1eav1eaw1.