Food Bank Working To Help Oklahomans Lead Healthier Lives

News On 6 and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma are on a mission to make sure every Oklahoma child has something to eat.

The food bank does more than just give food to those in need, it also works to help Oklahomans lead healthier lives, one meal at a time.

Wednesday nights at the Tandy Y in midtown Tulsa are reserved for something special, a cooking class designed to bring families together and teach them that cooking healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive.

“A lot of the time these days, people don't really do much cooking at home anymore,” said nutritionist Jessica Tea.

“If we can show them that buying fruits and veggies in season can be about the same price as those other options, that can get them kicked off to a healthier lifestyle,” said Kassidy Wickersham with the food bank.

The class is one of many going on around Tulsa this fall. In fact, Cooking Matters is one of the fastest growing projects of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

“We have classes everywhere. We have classes in Spanish, we have classes for veterans, we have the YMCA Go program for kids,” Wickersham said. “We're really just trying to start the conversation of a healthier lifestyle all throughout the Tulsa community.”

While the class is geared toward families, the real focus of Cooking Matters is kids. Organizers said convincing them of the importance of good nutrition could be the tipping point for the entire family.

“Kids definitely have a lot of sway in what their parents buy. They're always, ‘Can I have this, can I have that?’ So, if we can get those kids to start requesting healthier options at the store then that will be perfect,” Wickersham said.

Twelve-year-old Ashton is a believer. He's already a big fan of cooking but knows the class is something special.

Terry: “Is it important for you to be doing this with your family?”
Ashton: “Yes, very.”
Terry: “And why is that?”
Ashton: “Because I can look back one day and be very glad I learned this with my mom and my sister.”

If you would like to make a donation to Food for Kids, you can text “meals” to 501-501 to give $10.