My guest is Jennifer Eckert, who is currently serving as the Director of Development for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, which has as its mission to lead a network that provides nutritious food and pathways to self-sufficiency for people facing hunger. Jennifer also offers strategic planning and external grant review services for national grantmaking foundations as an independent consultant. For thirteen years, she has served the State of Oklahoma in the field of public health.
Jennifer is a certified mediator, with a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma, a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Central Oklahoma, and an associate’s degree in fine arts from Austin Community College. She utilizes her connector skills to address the social determinants of poverty, and values faith, family, community, and work. She believes that while help is necessary, hope is essential.
Jennifer also serves on the State Board for Kairos Prison Ministry International and is a regular volunteer at Mabel Basset Correctional Center in Oklahoma. She’s a graduate of the Salt and Light Leadership Training (SALLT) Class 14, and in 2020, was recognized as an Honoree for the Oklahoma Woman of the Year award by the Journal Record newspaper.
Jennifer and her husband, Doug, operate a home bakery called Grandma Doug’s Bakery, and together they have three young adult children.
SPECIAL NOTE: Please be advised that this episode contains conversations involving suicide and trauma. Utilize the numbers and websites listed below to get help.
Reachout National Crisis & Information Hotline: 1-800-522-9054 (24x7)
Oklahoma 211: 211 (24x7)
National Crisis Text Line: 741741 (24x7)
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: www.ok.gov/odmhsas
Connect with my guest:
You can connect with Jennifer Eckert by email at jeckert@rfbo.org, LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifereckertoklahoma, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=581998946, or cell phone at 405-255-7835.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma https://www.regionalfoodbank.org/
RFBO Food Assistance https://www.regionalfoodbank.org/get-help/
Feeding America https://www.feedingamerica.org/
OSU-OKC Center for Social Innovation https://osuokc.edu/cfsi
Additional guest resources:
Kay Warren, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough (source of the railroad track analogy) http://kaywarren.com/choosejoy/
National Association of Mental Illness - Oklahoma https://www.namioklahoma.org/
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