PSO, Oklahoma Food Bank Join to ‘Shine a Light’ on Area Neighbors in Need
Project Has Provided
Nearly 300,000 Free,
Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
MAYORAL PROCLAMTION: Pallets loaded with boxes full of LED bulbs provide the backdrop as Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum (second from right) hands Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma board president Tom Hutchison a mayoral proclamation designating July 25 as Shine A Light Day in Tulsa. Joining them are Kara Joy McKee, Tulsa City Councilor-District 4 (far left) and Jeff Brown, Energy Efficiency and Consumer Programs manager for PSO (far right).
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (Food Bank) have teamed up to distribute 65,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs to Tulsa area and northeastern Oklahoma families in need.
Since 2014, PSO and the Food Bank have worked together to coordinate the distribution of energy-efficient bulbs as part of PSO’s Shine A Light project. To date, nearly 300,000 northeastern Oklahoma households have received the free light bulbs.
PSO also coordinates with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in McAlester and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City to provide bulbs outside of northeastern Oklahoma. To date, this combined effort has resulted in the distribution of 450,000 bulbs in PSO-served areas across the state.
This year, delivery of 100,000 LEDs to the food banks began in early July. The food banks are now distributing the bulbs through their networks of partner agencies.
“We know that families in need are often forced to make difficult decisions and food dollars sometimes get cut in order to cover other life expenses,” said Jeff Brown, PSO Consumer Programs manager. “Through the Shine A Light Project, we can provide our neighbors ways to save energy and lower costs.”
Research shows that up to three-quarters of clients served by Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma report having to choose between paying their utility bills and paying for food.
“Food insecurity isn’t something that happens to a family in isolation, it’s often part of a larger constellation of issues impacting poverty and health,” stated Eileen Bradshaw, executive director for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “This gift from PSO takes those issues into consideration and helps reduce costs for the families we serve. We are grateful for this generous donation and proud to partner with PSO in order to distribute these low energy lights through our network of agencies.”
Founded in 1981, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is one of the largest, private hunger-relief organizations in Oklahoma. With branches in Tulsa and McAlester, it distributes food to people in need through 720 programs and Partner Agencies in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. Feeding programs include emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child feeding programs, senior feeding programs and veteran’s initiatives. In addition, the Food Bank helps raise public awareness about hunger and the role of food banking in alleviating hunger. For more information, visit okfoodbank.org; find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/okfoodbank or follow us on Twitter @okfoodbank.org and Instagram @okfoodbank.org.
