There most likely isn’t a person in America in which the Coronavirus hasn’t affected in one way or another. Hunger was already a huge problem in parts of our Tulsa community well before the current crisis. The pandemic has caused this problem to become even larger as more families struggle to make ends meet, or people are unable to get to stores for essentials.
A little more than a year ago, Bama partnered with Food On The Move, a local non-profit founded by Tulsa-Native recording artist, Taylor Hanson in order to address the issue of food deserts throughout the Tulsa area. Bama and Food On The Move had been working on plans for a farmers market and grocery store when the pandemic hit Oklahoma. Seeing the immediate need for food, they immediately switched focus and stepped up by supplying families with much needed food.
The more than 175 weekly volunteers for Food On The Move sprung into action in order to serve the needs while adhering to the new Coronavirus related CDC and state guidelines. They acquired masks for the volunteers and set up drive-thru meal sites serving eight different locations; Turley, Apache Manor, West Tulsa, Bixby, Liberty Mounds, East Tulsa, North Owasso, as well as one for Tulsa Public Schools teachers and staff.
As of the beginning of June, more than 210,000 people had been fed, and with the help of Go Fresh, nearly 583,000 pounds of produce has been distributed to these families.
Kevin Harper, Executive Director of Food On The Move has told many heartwarming stories of interactions between volunteers and those in need, made possible by the kindness and generosity of the Tulsa community.
As we continue to navigate through the Coronavirus pandemic Bama and Food On The Move plan to continue their efforts to supply food for those in need. For an updated list of locations and dates visit the Food On The Move website.