FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Roben Smolar | Senior Director of Communications | (404) 745-9482 | [email protected]

Tulsa, OK – Feb. 12 – An estimated 400 Tulsans experiencing homelessness will receive a nutritious meal while enjoying the spirit of community at the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, at 415 W. Archer St., on Thursday, Feb. 14. The 15th annual Valentine’s Day celebration is a partnership between the Day Center for the Homeless, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

The lunch aims to make Valentine’s Day special for members of the Tulsa community who are experiencing hard times. In Tulsa, an average of 400 people seek services each day at the Day Center for the Homeless, which is the only daytime shelter in Tulsa providing a safe, healthy environment for people in need and offering them opportunities for achieving self-sufficiency.

“Community partnerships are an integral component to providing that extra level of support for those in need,” said Mack Haltom, Interim Executive Director for the Day Center for the Homeless. “Holidays can sometimes be the toughest days for people to get through when they are faced with homelessness. Events like these remind people they are loved, no matter where they are in life.” WATCH THE VIDEO.

The Valentine’s Day lunch also showcases the generosity of local businesses. Toni’s Flowers & Gifts will contribute long stem roses, Fresh Point Produce is supplying fresh oranges and bananas for the guests' goodie bags and Doubletree Warren Place will be bringing their signature cookies. Lunch will include meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, sautéed green beans, corn, dinner rolls with butter, and iced tea and bottled water. Chef Jeff Marlow of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma will take the lead in preparing the meal.

The Community Food Bank is the largest private hunger-relief organization in Eastern Oklahoma distributing food to people in need through 720 programs and partner agencies in 24 counties of eastern Oklahoma. Last year the Food Bank provided the equivalent of over 450,000 meals each week to people through partnerships at emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child feeding programs, senior feeding programs and veteran’s initiatives.

 “So many of us show love though making a special meal for those we care about,” said Eileen Bradshaw, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “In this spirit, we look forward to participating with our other partners in this Valentine’s Day celebration at the Day Center to share a special meal with their guests and show them some love.”

“A community is only as strong as our willingness to love and support our fellow citizens,” said Lynn Schusterman, Chair Emerita of the Schusterman Family Foundation. “We are fortunate in Tulsa to have organizations like the Day Center and the Community Food Bank that are so deeply committed to caring for and serving those who are experiencing hard times, not just on Valentine’s Day but every day of the year.”

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About the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless

The mission of the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, Inc., is to provide a safe, healthy environment for people who are homeless and offer them opportunities and encouragement for achieving self-sufficiency. www.tulsadaycenter.org

About the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

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.

About the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (Schusterman) is a global organization that seeks to improve lives, strengthen communities and reduce inequality. Our philanthropic vision is grounded in a commitment to pursue justice, repair the world and treat all people with dignity and civility. We invest in efforts to improve public education in the United States, strengthen the Jewish people and Israel, and address the needs of marginalized individuals and communities. www.schusterman.org