'It's Pretty Awesome': A Sneak Peak At The Food Bank Of Eastern Oklahoma's New Expansion

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma put the final touches on the building's expansion before opening it to the public.

News On 6 got a sneak peek inside and a one-on-one with the non-profit's new CEO. 

"I like to call this kitchen the Lamborghini of kitchens because it's pretty awesome," Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Jeff Marlow said. 

A new commercial kitchen is just one of the many spaces the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma couldn't wait to show off to the people it serves.

"It takes us all to move that needle in the fight against hunger," Marlow said. 

Marlow is the non-profit's new CEO, but he's called the food bank home for quite a while.

"Ten years ago I was excited to bring my skills of cooking to the food bank in being able to serve with dignity," he said. 

He watched the food bank grow during his time as chief culinary officer and executive vice president.

"I think I'll always be known as Chef Jeff, that's my identity right?" he said, including bringing the expansion of the food bank to life. "Just because we're serving people in need doesn't mean they get what they get and they don't throw a fit. It's bringing that country club life to people in need and giving them an experience that they might not normally get," said Marlow. 

Not only did the facility expand its commercial kitchen from 2,000 square feet to more than 12,000 square feet, but it also added a ballroom, a demonstration kitchen, a new packing area for volunteers and more.

"I hope when people come in here, they really see the scope of our work you know, and they see how broad it really is," the CEO said. 

Marlow said he can't wait to see the space full of people that he considers family. 

"I look at our volunteers coming in and our partners, cause that's the relationship piece that I bring, I'm all about family. The food bank is family, anybody that's partnering we're just all one big family serving families," Marlow said.