Lexington, KY – The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) selected the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma as its 2026 NASPO Cares beneficiary, providing an opportunity to give back to the Oklahoma City host community during the NASPO REACH Conference on July 22-24, 2026. NASPO donated $10,000 in support of the food bank’s mission to “lead a network that provides nutritious food and pathways to self-sufficiency for people facing hunger.” This includes $5,000 on behalf of NASPO Cares and $5,000 on behalf of NASPO’s Southern Region, which collected the most food items during the first-ever REACH Round-Up initiative.
The 2026 REACH Round-Up was launched to expand the NASPO Cares impact by encouraging state procurement offices nationwide to collect and donate non-perishable food items to local food banks in their own communities. Through the initiative, participating states tracked and reported donated items, demonstrating the procurement profession’s commitment to serving communities both locally and nationally.
NASPO is proud to recognize the winners of the 2026 REACH Round-Up, who collectively donated over 1,500 items. The results are as follows:
- North Carolina: 600 items donated to the Celebration Food Pantry
- Louisiana: 516 items donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
- Maryland: 309 items donated to the Maryland Food Bank
- Delaware: 105 items donated to the Food Bank of Delaware
As part of the initiative, NASPO Cares will also donate $2,500 to each food bank or pantry these four states have chosen, resulting in an additional $10,000 in contributions to local hunger relief organizations. In total, NASPO will contribute $20,000 through the 2026 NASPO Cares and REACH Round-Up initiatives.
“NASPO Cares and the REACH Round-Up reflect the generosity and community spirit of procurement professionals across the country,” said Caitlyn Flory, NASPO Director of Conferences and Events. “We are inspired by our members’ participation and grateful for the positive impact these efforts will have on food banks and families in need.”
Participating states and donations were recognized at the NASPO REACH Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during a special NASPO Cares Reception on July 23, 2026.
Additionally, due to the number of room nights booked for the conference, the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will be donating 1,300 meals to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma through their Say Goodnight to Hunger program.
These contributions demonstrate the procurement community’s commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond the workplace. Through collaboration and service, NASPO members continue to strengthen and support the communities they serve across the nation.
About NASPO: NASPO® is a non–profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. www.naspo.org
Media Contact:
Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications, NASPO
kdavila@naspo.org