OKLAHOMA CITY - The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency food boxes to individuals who test for COVID-19 at health departments in 28 Oklahoma counties.
Through the USDA’s Disaster Household Distributions, the Regional Food Bank provides the boxes full of shelf-stable, non-perishable foods to individuals being tested for COVID-19 who state they are food insecure. Over the last 30 days, emergency food boxes have been provided to more than 4,880 individuals.
“This partnership is very integral to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Deb Bunting, interim CEO of the Regional Food Bank. “Not only does it get much-needed food to Oklahomans who are suffering from food insecurity, it works to limit potential spread of the virus.”
During the testing process, individuals are asked screening questions to determine if they need food assistance. Individuals are provided enough food to help feed their families for two weeks.
Thanks to an extension from the USDA, the program will continue at testing sites through the end of June. For more information about the program, please reach out to your county health department.
Health departments in the following counties offer emergency food boxes during COVID-19 testing: Beaver, Beckham, Caddo, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Hughes, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kiowa, Love, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Stephens, Texas, Tillman and Woods.