Oklahoma’s beef farmers and ranchers continue to give back to the community during these challenging times by supporting the Beef for Backpacks program. The program provides essential high-quality protein in backpacks distributed by local food banks to chronically hungry children.

Started in 2012, the program gives more than one million meat sticks to kids each year.

Recently, Oklahoma rancher, Monte Tucker, Vice-Chairman of the Oklahoma Beef Council auctioned off beef rib-eyes steaks to benefit the Beef for Backpack program. In total, the auction raised $5,000 through various donors including the winning bid of $2,000 made by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Funk of Yukon, Oklahoma.

“We know it is tough out there for so many, especially when one in four Oklahoma children have inconsistent access to healthy foods,” Said Monte Tucker. “We were thrilled to see the auction be so successful in supporting the Beef for Backpacks program.”

In other community efforts, the Oklahoma Beef Council has stepped up to support Oklahoma’s healthcare workers. Building upon the need for high quality protein snacks, the Oklahoma Beef Council provided more than 4,000 beef sticks with a message of gratitude for physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers at hospital systems managing high-levels of COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the Oklahoma Beef Council provided gift cards as part of a “thank you” drawing through its affiliate partnership with the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians.

“We are grateful for the incredible dedication of Oklahoma’s health community as they carry the burden for caring for Oklahomans under unimaginable circumstances, and this is one small way to say thank you,” said Heather Buckmaster, executive director of the Oklahoma Beef Council.

For those interested in supporting the Beef for Backpacks program, monetary donations are accepted at www.regionalfoodbank.org or https://okfoodbank.org. Additionally, beef farmers and ranchers can donate a beef animal to the program. All processing and delivery costs are covered by the Regional Food Bank and the Oklahoma Farming and

Ranching Foundation. To learn more, visit https://okfbfoundationforagriculture.org/.

About the Oklahoma Beef Council

The Oklahoma Beef Council is a non-profit led by beef farmer and rancher volunteers serving Oklahoma’s 50,000 farming and ranching families through the Beef Checkoff, a federal commodity program. Its vision is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma farming and ranching families and the greater beef community through serving its mission to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations.