WFRC to host drive-thru birthday celebration for donations

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The Weatherford Food and Resource Center is hosting a drivethru fourth birthday celebration Tuesday, September 8, to collect food and monetary donations.

This year, the WFRC has set a goal to collect $4,000 in monetary donations and 4,000 pounds of food.

The drive-thru is 6-7:30 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and companies are encouraged to use their company vehicles.

Participants will turn south on Bradley Street from Main Street, West on Rainey Avenue and continue to the south side of WFRC.

“Volunteers will be there to unload your vehicle if you have food donations and buckets for monetary donations,” WFRC Director Lori Flansburg said.

After dropping off their donations, participants will turn north on 8th Street, where the first 150 people can collect a cupcake from founding board member Deb Hanson. They also will have their pictures taken and featured in the Weatherford Daily News’ cupcake collage.

Members of the Weatherford Fire Department and Weatherford Police Department will be onsite to help direct traffic.

Flansburg said they are moving their large warehouse to the sidewalk. The WDN will report via Facebook how much has been collected throughout the event.

While in the drive-thru, participants will be treated to music by the SWOSU Code Blue Fanbulance. Other special guests include the Weatherford Eagle, the SWOSU Bulldog and cheerleaders from Weatherford and SWOSU.

WFRC distributes 30,000 pounds of food a month for 1,400 clients in Western Oklahoma. Every $1 donated represents four meals provided to local families.

“That doesn’t happen unless we have a village of supporters,” Flansburg said. “So far, we have had phenomenal support, and we hope to keep it going because hunger does exist in our area, especially right now with the layoffs. We need this resource in our community.”

To help with its mission, WFRC has created a birthday wish list which includes:

• Canned vegetables: low or no sodium

• Diced/canned fruit: in its own juice, no added sugar

• Pasta/rice: whole grain, brown rice, quinoa, no instant ramen noodles

• Cereal: while grain, high fiber, low sugar

• Soup/stews/broth: low sodium, no instant ramen

• Beverages: 100-percent juice, water, coffee, tea, shelf-stable milk, no soda

• Protein: low to no sodium nuts and nut butters, canned tuna in water, canned salmon, canned chicken, canned chili, other canned meats

• Beans: low to no sodium canned or bagged

• Crackers: whole grain, low sodium

• Bread: whole grain

• Olive or canola oil, condiments, salad dressing

• Flour, sugar, salt, pepper, spices, herbs

• Popcorn, low-sugar granola bars

• Toilet paper, facial tissue, feminine products

• Adult and baby diapers, baby wipes, personal hygiene products

• Cleaning products, laundry detergent

• Pet food

• School supplies

• No junk food like chips, soda and added sugar items

For more information, contact WFRC at (580) 774-5377 or WDN at (580) 772-3301.