Norman Regional and NR Health Foundation Donate Meals to Afterschool Program for Teens

When the Center for Children and Families (CCFI) opened their newest facility, Boys & Girls Club of Norman Teen Center at Reaves Park, they had a big ask of the Norman community.

“This is our first school year in this location and our contract doesn’t start until October 1, meaning our regular meals won’t start until then,” said Melissa Klink, CEO of CCFI. “Food insecurity is an issue with the youth we serve. About 95% of them receive free or reduced lunch through Norman Public Schools.”

CCFI reached out to members of the community asking for help including the Norman Regional Health Foundation.

“I reached out to the Foundation board of directors asking for a week’s worth of meal donations. We were able to provide 40 meals each day for a week,” said Erin Barnhart, Executive Director of the Norman Regional Health Foundation.

While the Foundation donated the funding for the meals, they were able to partner with Norman Regional Health System’s Food and Nutrition Services to cook and prepare fresh and healthy meals for the teens.

“This was just a natural fit from the Health Foundation and the hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services to the Boys & Girls Club,” said Barnhart

“Knowing it is teens, we wanted to provide meals we thought they would enjoy. Chicken tenders with mashed potatoes and gravy, pizza, beef lasagna [and] cheese enchiladas,” said Amanda Jones, Director of Norman Regional’s Food and Nutrition Services.

Norman Regional’s Impact in the Community

For both Barnhart and Jones, it is important to support the community outside of Norman Regional’s hospital and clinic walls.

“That’s what health and wellness is all about. It’s not just the medicine and food, but its community as well,” said Barnhart. “At the Norman Regional Health Foundation, we not only support the hospital, we also want to serve the members of the community that the hospital serves.”

“One of the great benefits of working for Norman Regional is getting to partner with our community,” said Jones. “I truly believe proper nutrition is a cornerstone to good health. And being able to not only provide that for our customers and patients at the hospital, but for our whole community is very fulfilling.”