Health and church officials help to tackle local food insecurity
The OKC Mobile Market visited OakRidge Health and Wellness Academy and South Rotary Park on Friday to distribute fresh produce to community residents.
The truck, a partnership between the Oklahoma City County Health Department and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, provides free grocery items every Friday and final Saturday of every month. The Mobile Market arrived at the Health and Wellness Academy at 9:30 a.m. Friday. By 9:45 a.m., lines had formed before food officially began being distributed at 10 a.m. By the end of the truck’s second stop at Rotary Park around 1 p.m., nearly 400 people had been served.
“(The health department) has often given out fresh produce at events and other activities, but the Mobile Market helps us provide sustainable access to these essential needs,” said OCCHD Community Outreach Coordinator Yanet Trejo, who regularly works at the market. “For people living with low income or limited transportation, they’ve come to depend on us visiting their neighborhoods and we’re happy to see they want healthy food.”
Friday was Hunger Action Day, where organizations across the country work to raise awareness of food insecurity and fight hunger.
Some Oklahoma City residents struggle with access to fresh and nutritious food, which is key to maintaining health and reducing illness. Recent reporting showed 119,000 Oklahoma County residents live in low-income,
low access “food deserts,” while nearly 51,000 residents live in very low food security.
Candice Hillenbrand, St. Luke’s mission engagement director, said the Mobile Market was planned before the pandemic, but has become needed even more. “We have seen the needs of our community increase as the lines have grown longer,” Hillenbrand said. “Our customers show up hours before our truck does just to ensure they have the best chance at receiving plenty of food for themselves and their families.”
Since it began its weekly trips in April 2020, Mobile Market has distributed nearly 800,000 servings of produce. More than 120,000 people have received food from the truck, including 60,000 children, according to the health department.
“We see many repeat customers who depend on the free fresh produce, protein and dairy that we provide,” Hillenbrand said. “Our goal is to remain consistent, giving people peace of mind knowing that help is on the way every week.”
The truck makes two 2-hour stops each day it operates, with up to eight volunteers needed at each stop. Hillenbrand said volunteering with Mobile Market can provide a big boost to morale. “People can come for the whole day (and) then go to lunch as a team or just volunteer at each stop,” Hillenbrand said. “We offer a lot of flexibility.”
To volunteer for Mobile Market, contact Hillenbrand at chillenbrand@stlukesokc.org and sign up through the Food Ministry at St. Luke’s official website. Financial donations to support the market can also be made on the website.