BOK Financial’s® commitment to philanthropy truly comes alive through the passion of employees, and this year’s Guide the Giving campaign is a testament to that spirit. With 170 nonprofit organizations nominated across the company’s eight-state footprint, it’s clear that employees are committed to addressing critical needs to make a difference in their local communities.
Especially prevalent among the 2024 nominees were organizations providing support for food insecurity, which has become a significant concern amplified by rising food prices that have made it increasingly challenging for many families to afford basic necessities.
While the rate of inflation has begun to slow, that doesn’t mean prices are going down—just increasing more slowly. In fact, they continue to climb: food prices were up 2.4% year-over-year in October, according to the Consumer Price Index. While this may seem manageable at first glance, a broader perspective reveals a more troubling trend. From 2019 to 2023, U.S. food prices surged by 25%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This rate of increase was surpassed only by transportation costs during the same period.
Supporting the hungry
These cumulative price hikes significantly affect families, stretching household budgets thin and exacerbating the struggle to put nutritious meals on the table for the most vulnerable in our communities. And BOK Financial employees have taken notice.
Guide the Giving is an employee-driven initiative to support the local nonprofit organizations that employees are most passionate about. The nonprofit in each of the company’s 10 markets that receives the most votes is granted a $10,000 donation, while five additional nonprofits footprint-wide receive $5,000.
This year, three of the 10 organizations garnering the most employee support are on the front lines battling food insecurity. They range from mobile food pantries to full-service food markets:
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, was nominated by Luis Olivarez, a financial center leader who volunteers there regularly. “With the current state of the economy, many are still struggling to get good food for their families,” said Olivarez. “I am a huge advocate of the NWA Food Bank and try to volunteer twice a month because everyone deserves to eat and have access to good food.”
In Colorado, Food for Thought Denver works to fill the weekend hunger gap for children who rely on school meals during the week.
“I was introduced to Food for Thought Denver in 2018 and was instantly hooked,” said Brian Connor, commercial banking market team leader and an enthusiastic supporter of this nonprofit. “The volunteer core is an incredible group of individuals, and the impact we make is profound. The Guide the Giving contribution of $10,000 translates into 2,000 PowerSacks—2,000 kids and their families who won’t have to worry about food over the weekend,” Connor explained.
Meanwhile, Thelma’s Kitchen in Kansas City offers more than just meals.
“This organization not only provides meals but helps individuals in need by assisting with getting IDs, applying for jobs and offering counseling,” said Michael Sears, a trust officer who nominated the group. “This donation will significantly boost their efforts to reduce food insecurity in the heart of Kansas City.”
In addition to the Guide the Giving monetary grants, employees dedicate their time to serving those facing food insecurity. For instance, employees have volunteered 871 hours at Tulsa’s Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma (CCEOK) in the past year—more group hours than any other organization in the area. CCEOK is also a top recipient of employee grants from a Dollars for Doers program, where employees can translate their volunteer hours into monetary donations for a nonprofit they support with their time.
“We don’t know everyone’s story, but we do know that we can show them charity and compassion. We give of ourselves so others may receive kindness and fullness of love and mercy,” said Erin Schwartz, a CCEOK volunteer and BOK Financial corporate communications specialist. “As a weekly CCEOK volunteer, I see the impact this organization has in helping our neighbors in need.”
These and other nonprofit organizations rely on both consistent donations of both money and time to operate.
"The generosity of BOK Financial employees, both in time and resources, has been transformative for us,” shared Barbara Bird, CCEOK group volunteer coordinator. “Their contributions make a significant difference in our ability to serve the community."
. © 2024 BOKF, NA.