Tulsa World: Hunger here

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Hunger here
Local food pantries are seeing an increase in need

Maralee Hartmeyer (left), an Iron Gate volunteer, distributes free bags of groceries Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Published: 8/31/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2009 2:44 PM

The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma distributed more than a million pounds of food to area food pantries in July, the largest one-month amount in its history.

That's 25 semi-trailers full of food, enough for 852,548 meals.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma is the eighth-hungriest state, with 4.7 percent of the population considered hungry and an extra 13 percent considered food insecure.

Locally, food pantry agencies are reporting a 40 percent increase in the number of people seeking assistance.

Some agencies are even reporting a 70 percent to 100 percent increase, said Cindy Stevens, the director of marketing and communications with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

To raise awareness and help combat the issue, September has been declared Hunger Action Month.

"Our goal for Hunger Action Month is to educate our citizens about the problem of hunger right here in our own backyard and show them some of the many ways they can take action against hunger, not just in September, but every month," said Sara Waggoner, the executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

Last fiscal year, the food bank distributed 9,546,435 pounds of food to its agency food pantries, a 23 percent increase from the previous year.

"So far, we're keeping up with the demand for two reasons: USDA commodities are up significantly from last year and the stimulus package contained additional commodities," Stevens said.

Iron Gate, located in Trinity Episcopal Church, offers a daily soup kitchen and a food pantry on Fridays.

"We are seeing new faces every day and are seeing about 10 new families a day. This is double than what we saw a year ago," said Connie Cronley, the executive director of Iron Gate. "We are seeing 10 to 15 young children a day. That's a remarkable increase."

Every Friday, the organization hands out about 140 bags of groceries from its food pantry and people can only get one bag of groceries a month.

"We are seeing about 24 new people every Friday and most of those are families," Cronley said. "More people are going through the kitchen and food pantry. It's the economy. They just can't find jobs."

The city of Tulsa is encouraging organizations to organize a food and fund drive during the month of September.

"Helping families in our community with the most basic need — food for their families — is vital," said Mayor Kathy Taylor in a press release. "The number of families served by the Food Bank has been dramatically increased in the last six months. It is easy to help: donate nonperishable food and help us fight hunger."

For more information on the food bank and how to donate, go online to tulsaworld.com/foodbank .

Open house

Kick off Hunger Action Month on Tuesday at the Community Food Bank, 1304 N. Kenosha Ave.

Reception: 10 a.m.

Tours: Every half hour from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cooking demonstrations: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes a reusable insulated bag.

Call 585-2800 for more information or to reserve a spot.

By the numbers

1 in five Oklahoma children are at risk of going to bed hungry.

22 percent of children 18 years or younger live in poverty.

2,375 children are enrolled in the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.

In the 97 percent of school sites that offer free or reduced price breakfast, only 26 percent of students who qualify actually participate.

Source: Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

Mike Averill 581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer

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