Oklahoma City, OK - Citing hunger as one of our state's greatest challenges, Oklahoma Democratic Party leaders announced a successful conclusion to their statewide Spring Food Drive.

"As Democrats, we emphasize the idea of not only talking the talk, but walking the walk when it comes to doing the right thing for our community," said Todd Goodman, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. "I'm proud of our Democrats across the state for stepping up to the plate and taking part in this food drive."

Goodman and Dwight Clark, an organizer with the state party, delivered the donations to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on Wednesday. The state party collected 120 pounds of food; most of that food was collected at an event co-sponsored by the Young Democrats of Oklahoma and Organizing for America in late March.

Clark noted that county Democratic parties were challenged to collect food donations throughout the month of March, with several counties taking part. Alfalfa County Democrats collected more food than any other county party, bringing more than 70 pounds of food to their local food bank.

"I'm grateful to everyone in Alfalfa County for their hard work to support this cause," he stated.

Clark noted that the party chose to focus on hunger issues because of the high incidence of hunger in Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Food Bank Network, 13 percent of Oklahomans are classified as "food insecure" - meaning they can't reliably obtain consistent sources of nutrition. Yet less than 20 percent of those Oklahomans are classified as unemployed.

"We as Democrats cannot sit idly by and watch as one in five Oklahoma children go hungry," Goodman said. "If we are to remain true to our Democratic principles, we are bound to take action."

Clark added that this is the first of many community service projects that the Democratic Party will spearhead. In April, the state party will be encouraging people to donate time and money to support community gardens - another key component in fighting hunger.

The state party will hold a Fall Food Drive in September.