The Weatherford Food and Resource Center is kicking off its annual drive-thru birthday celebration with a big announcement — the new name of WFRC.
The center is celebrating its fifth birthday with a drive-thru parade and fundraiser September 7. Director Lori Flansburg and the WFRC board will announce the center’s new name 6 p.m., followed by the parade and donations.
Because the center now serves 15 zip codes, including three added in June, a name change has been in discussion for a while. The rebrand was done in partnership with Dr. Geo Kelly and the SWOSU School of Business.
Guests and donors will be treated to music provided by the SWOSU Code Blue Fanbulance as well as local cheerleaders, the Weatherford Eagle and SWOSU Bulldog.
The drive-thru route begins at the intersection of State Street and Main Street. Weatherford Fire Chief Mike Karlin and Weatherford Police Chief Louis Flowers will be on site with vehicles to help direct traffic. The first 150 donors will receive cupcakes at the south entrance and volunteers will take both monetary and food donations at the warehouse door.
Flansburg said participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and bring company vehicles through the line.
“I just want it to be a big celebration of fighting hunger and feeding hope,” she said.
The Weatherford Daily News will be providing live updates throughout the event on the WDN Facebook page.
The goal this year is to raise $5,000 and bring in 5,000 pounds of food. Flansburg said the organization has to raise about $260,000 a year to make it sustainable.
“Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in the nation, so it is important our community gives to this,” Flansburg said.
Flansburg said the center is experiencing a shortage of corn and green beans. The WFRC birthday wish list can be found below. Shelfstable items are preferred.
• 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: whole grain, high fiber, low sugar
• Soup/stews/broth, low sodium, no instant ramen noodles
• 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, bagged
• Crackers: whole grain, low sodium
• Bread: whole grain
• Olive or canola oil, condiments, salad dressing
• Flour, sugar, salt, pepper, spices, herbs
• 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, added sugar items
For more information, contact WFRC at (580) 774-5377 or the WDN at (580) 772-3301.