The community is invited to support a long-running effort to fight childhood hunger in Okmulgee by attending the 4th Annual Bean Dinner benefiting the local Food for Kids program.

The fundraiser will be held Monday, Jan. 19, from 4:30-7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Okmulgee. The event is open to the public and will raise funds to continue providing weekly food assistance to students at Okmulgee Primary School.

Food for Kids sends home a bag of non-perishable food each week for approximately 150 children who may not have reliable access to meals when school is not in session. The program has been operating in Okmulgee for 17 years, thanks to Holly Barris, who continues to work tirelessly to organize, fundraise and distribute the bags, with the assistance of community volunteers. The program has provided more than 52,500 bags of food to local children – all funded entirely through donations.

The bean dinner is one of the program’s key annual fundraisers and plays an important role in ensuring the program can continue serving students throughout the school year.

Those who are unable to attend the dinner but would still like to contribute may mail donations to: First Baptist Church P.O. Box 248 Okmulgee, OK 74447 Community members are encouraged to attend, donate and help make a difference for local children in need.