C MMUNITY HEARTBEAT FOOD INSECURITY

Help is available

By Lisa Sydnor

Food insecurity, by definition, is the condition of not having access to sufficient food or food of adequate quality to meet one’s basic needs.

Have you ever wondered where your next meal will come from; how you will feed your family; not eating until your family is finished then eating whatever was left over; had to send your children to bed hungry; or gone more than one day without food? If you answered yes to any or all of these scenarios, then you have experienced food insecurity.

The Oklahoma City metroplex has many options for helping those experiencing food insecurities. United Way of Central Oklahoma has information on organizations and agencies offering food pantries as well as other programs for assistance.

Contact 211 by dialing 211 or access online at: 211oklahoma.org. Search by zip code for food programs near you.

Food Pantries may be supported by churches, community centers, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, federal, state or local government agencies, and sponsored food drives. When applying for assistance you will need to provide basic information: home address; household income; the number of family members; names & ages of family members; photo ID. Agencies may have various other specific information they require. Only three pantries are listed in this article; 211 can offer more options.

Skyline, 500 SE 15th Street, is a United Way Agency and has a Client Choice Pantry – that means you shop from a list provided just as you would any grocery store. Items and amounts you may take are based on your family demographics. In addition to regular pantry hours, Skyline is open after 6 p.m. one evening each week and one Saturday morning each month. This gives those who work shifts the opportunity to shop in the pantry. A mobile food pantry serves those unable to travel to their location.

During 2020, Skyline served over 58,000 individuals in drive-by food pick-up. In 2021, as the world tilted back toward normal, Skyline served 33,000 plus individuals and 2022 saw that number rise to 36,000 plus. As 2023 begins, it is anticipated that individuals served will exceed 2022 significantly.

Skyline leadership has positioned the organization to literally bring more to the table in the fight against food insecurities. Skyline’s greenhouse and large teaching garden are adjacent to the Client Choice Pantry. Over

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3000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, grown right on-site, supplemented the food provided by the Regional Food Bank, Walmart, and other entities.

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Skyline personnel teach nutrition/gardening at the Shidler Elementary School in Oklahoma City and are looking at how to help clients learn more about nutrition and growing food for their family tables. Some possibilities are window box or planter gardens to supplement and enhance clients’ food supply.

I am forever grateful to have had Connie to sell my home, and, also helped me in purchasing my current home. She has a heart for her clients and invaluable expertise in the entire process! Thank you, Connie!

- Frances Baker

Salvation Army, 1001 N Penn, a United Way agency, has a Client Choice Food Pantry. In 2022, they served 500 plus new clients. Salvation Army provides a community meal every day at 4:30 p.m. It is free and open to anyone wanting a hot meal, no requirements must be met.

According to the Regional Food Bank (RFBO) website, RFBO works hand in hand with 314 community-based partner agencies in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. These agencies range from public-access food pantries to shelters and congregate feeding sites and direct service agencies serving food-insecure populations.

RFBO also provides food to senior community residents who qualify.

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the worst states in the United States for health, which includes: cardiovascular

I am forever grateful to have had Connie to sell my home, and, also helped me in purchasing my current home. She has a heart for her clients and invaluable expertise in the entire process! Thank you, Connie!

I am forever grateful to have had Connie to sell my home, and, also helped me in purchasing my current home. She has a heart for her clients and invaluable expertise in the entire process! Thank you, Connie! - Frances Baker deaths, diabetes deaths and obesity. Oklahoma has one of the lowest rates of vegetable consumption in the nation. Food insecurity is linked to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases. The Regional Food Bank’s Food for Health Programs works to improve access to nutritious food across central and western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma continues to rank among the top ten states in the nation for food insecurity among seniors. As a result, more and more seniors are turning to food pantries for help. Seniors should not be faced with the dilemma of not having enough money and being forced to choose to pay for rent, utilities, medical bills, prescriptions or food. At times, support from family and friends is just not enough and they are unable to stretch their dollars far enough to purchase enough food to sustain their health.

With the rising cost of food and inflation biting into every budget, we need to be more creative and open to ideas and ways to supplement our food purchases. Have you ever thought of doing a planter garden? There is no time like the present. Be proactive. Check out tutorials on the internet. Ask someone who has a vegetable garden for pointers. Homegrown vegetables are the yummiest.

For volunteer opportunities, to partner in a food drive, or to make a contribution, contact the Regional Food Bank (http:// www.rfbo.org or info@rfbo.org); Skyline (405-632-2644); or Salvation Army (405-246-1100). Tell them CAREGIVER Magazine sent you!