NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:
I am writing this letter in regard to a recent trip I took with the Dibble Senior Citizens to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. I found the trip to be both educational and enlightening.
The food bank was a vision and fulfillment of Donald W. Reynolds, who was the owner of many of the newspapers in Oklahoma, including the Norman Transcript, Chickasha Daily Express, Pauls Valley Democrat, the Altus paper and many more.
He also owned a newspaper in Las Vegas, Nev., where he lived and had his fleet of airplanes. A statue of Mr. Reynolds sits in the building at the food bank in Oklahoma City and bares the name of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma warehouses and distributes food to hungry people throughout the state of Oklahoma.
On this trip, I joined the senior citizens of Dibble in their effort to work at the food bank and help pay back in service for their generous contributions to the Dibble Senior Citizen’s Center.
The day we went, many employees from the Chesapeake energy Corporation also were there. Most of their people were young, able-bodied adults. It is hard and arduous work for senior citizens.
However, the Dibble group worked without complaining to do their share. Senior citizens have to be especially careful when doing labor of this magnitude. I would like to encourage volunteers in the area to fill in for the seniors on their pay-back day.
On a weekly basis, 77,000 lbs. of food is distributed throughout the state to help people who are struggling to keep food on the table.
Seniors are often among the hungry. Many seniors would go without, if it were not for help from the Oklahoma City Food Bank.
These are not people who are simply looking for handouts. They are your mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles who have rocked your cradles. Now is the time when you need to tell them you remember and not forget them in their hour of need.
Please contact the Senior Citizen’s Center and let them know you are available to help.
The Dibble seniors went to the food bank on a day when the temperature was more than 100 degrees. Their older van has no air conditioning. The windows are cracked and the upholstery is falling down. Despite the lack of comforts, they went with pride to help feed their community.
I would ask the citizens of our area to see what they can do to relieve even some of the burden of uncomplaining and thankful seniors. To volunteer at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, call Jamie Treadway, (405) 600-3154. They would even be happy if you just showed up at 3355 S. Purdue, Oklahoma City.
HELEN ROOF
Norman
