(Cushing, Okla.) Carol Smith has been doing some serious “clubbing” lately. First at Rotary Club and most recently at Lion’s Club. She has been sharing news about something she feels very passionate about – Cushing Food Bank.
Cushing Food Bank distributes food to those in need the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. First timers must complete an application blank and provide a proof of residency such as a rent receipt. They also must live in Cushing or Agra. “Originally we let anyone come, but we were getting people from as far aways as Guthrie,” Smith said. “Because are resources are limited, we had to place that restriction.” She also said that occassionally someone comes from a different zip code not knowing the rules. “We won’t turn them away – they will go home with some food, but we let them know.”
Since the downturn in the economy, the Food Bank has seen an increase in the number of households being served. In 2010, over 80 tons of food were distributed by Cushing Food Bank. “Last Thanksgiving was the most ever,” Smith said. “We helped 302 households.”
Most of that food comes from the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City – in fact, 98 percent of it. Approximately one percent comes from local food drives and the other one percent from items purchased locally. Smith and her co-chair Euel Boyles or most recently, J.D. Berry, go through the list of items available and place the order. U.S.D.A. items are free, but limited to only 10 cases. The charge for the other items is described as a ‘handling fee’. “It’s kind of like looking at a menu at a restaurant – we always make sure we look at the price first,” Smith laughed. “We want to make sure we use our funds the best way possible.”
Cushing Food Bank funding comes in a variety of ways – individual support, Baptist General Convention Hunger Fund, organizations – but approximately 50 percent of its yearly budget comes from the Cushing United Fund.
“So remember, when the Cushing United Fund comes around, it is helping the Food Bank,” Smith said. “We just couldn’t do it without those funds.”
Currently the Food Bank is located in a small house across the street from its sponsoring agency – the First Baptist Church, However, that location is about to change – possibly as soon as May. A 40 ft. by 60 ft. building will be placed on a plot of land on Maitlen Drive. Preparations for the building, already on order, have been going strong. Donations of gravel and dozer work have already come in, ground has been broken and forms are set – ready to pour the concrete (also donated) for the foundation.
And although there is a lot of excitement about the new location and new building, it brings with it a new problem – according to Smith, many of the ones coming to the Food Bank live close to the current location and don’t have dependable transportation. “We are looking for ways to solve this problem,” Smith said. “So if you have an idea, please let us know.”
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated at the Food Bank. The second and fourth Monday of the month is delivery day – the truck is unloaded and sacks are filled in preparation for the next day.
“The best way to really know what the Food Bank does is to come and help,” Smith said. “It breaks your heart when you see how little some people have to live on. But after you’ve helped – you’ll feel good about what you’ve done.”
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