The advantages of living in a rural community in Oklahoma have once again shown themselves evident in unexpected ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With people not able to work and being encouraged to remain at home, the Stroud Food Pantry has seen their recent distribution of food grow by 20% over the 2019 weekly distribution average. Since the middle of March 40 new families have applied for assistance.
With many of the longstanding volunteers needing to shelter in place, the Stroud Food Pantry would like to thank the local churches that have stepped up to fill the gap.
These teams have helped unload the delivery truck and provided needed additional support during the bi-weekly Tuesday distribution.
In addition to our ongoing financial partners, emergency monetary donations have been received from First Physicians Capital Group, the operators of Stroud Regional Medical Center ($15,000), Central Oklahoma Electric Foundation ($2,000), and Mint Turbines ($1,000) in support of Pantry operations. Furthermore, the employees of Mint Turbines have also donated funds and conducted their own food drive supporting the Pantry’s increased need. Other donations include a side of beef from Carson Wolff and a contribution from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma ($1769) to be used for ancillary supplies.
The Stroud Food Pantry depends on numerous financial partners, large and small, who faithfully, and thankfully, support the Pantry’s mission on an ongoing basis.
“These partners are the backbone of our mission to ‘Defeat Hunger;’ and without their support, we would not be successful,” James Huelsman, president of the Pantry, said.
With the annual golf tournament fundraiser having been put on hold due to the pandemic situation, individual, organizational, and corporate contributions have become even more important as the Stroud Food Pantry strives to assist people in Lincoln county and the surrounding communities feed their families.
Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the Pantry can simply mail it to 211 North 3 rd Ave. Stroud, OK 74079.
Honoring Governor Stitt’s “Open and Recover Safely Plan,” the Food Pantry will continue our “Grab and Go” distribution strategy until further notice.
Program participants are asked to continue to keep trunks and the rear of pickups clear of items so volunteers can quickly load groceries without entering the interior of vehicles. These procedures, along with other precautions, help protect both the recipients and the volunteers during the food distribution.
Plans are in place to add an 18 by 60-foot attached metal annex to the south of the existing building and refurbish the Pantry interior installing over 3000 cubic feet of combined freezer and cold storage space.
Upon completion, we will be able to offer a full client-choice “shopping” environment for Pantry recipients. Construction will begin following final approval of a USDA Rural Development Grant.
Funds utilized for the expansion do not come from donations provided to meet food costs and operational needs, but from monies provided by corporate giving programs, local businesses, foundations and individuals specifically for the building expansion. First Physicians Group, in addition to its emergency operational support contributed $10,000 for the purpose of refurbishing and installing a donated 10x20 walk-in refrigeration unit. These funds will also be used to support the purchase and installation of a similar sized walk-in freezer unit. Commitments of support such as these will help the Stroud Food Pantry continue to grow and provide assistance to families for a long time to come.