By Jade Morrow, Fox23 News
GREEN COUNTRY, Okla. — As winter storms approach, grocery stores often see long lines and empty shelves. Similarly, local food pantries and food banks also have to make preparations for severe winter weather.
Our news partners at FOX23 spoke with two local organizations to learn how they’re helping those in need and what concerns they have as winter weather moves through the area.
Both organizations said they have meals prepared for at least a week or more.
However, their biggest concern is what happens after the storm when resources and access to them may be limited.
“We always prepare ahead of inclement weather,” said Aubrey Wheland, the Volunteer Services Manager with Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa. “You never know what to expect in Oklahoma with the weather.
Winter weather can be unpredictable, causing nonprofits like Meals on Wheels and La Cosecha to begin preparing food distribution weeks in advance.
“Monday through Friday, and sometimes even Saturdays depending on how everything goes, but we work every day,” said Rita Gallardo, the CEO and Founder of La Cosecha.
On Thursday, both organizations worked to distribute food ahead of the storm that’s expected to arrive on Friday night.
Wheland said, “We sent out something that we call ‘blizzard boxes’ to every single client in the fall so that they have a week’s worth of food ahead of any inclement weather. We prepare well in advance and fortunately we haven’t had much of an impact yet this week.”
Meals on Wheels’ blizzard boxes include nonperishable items and ready-to-eat meals.
La Cosecha also provides its own food boxes.
“We try to focus on healthy and nutritious options, so there’s a lot of produce,” said Gallardo. “Today, we had produce and eggs as well. It just depends. Our inventory changes every week.”
Meals on Wheels serves at least 1,400 clients, while La Cosecha serves about 700 people.
While both said it’s rewarding to serve the community, they are concerned about operations following the storm.
Wheland said Meals on Wheels is most concerned about a potential lack of volunteers.
“We’re working on replenishing those shelf-stable boxes for our clients. That’s when we’ll need more support, time from volunteers and help from funders as well.”
Gallardo said La Cosecha is worried about access to resources in the days following the storm.
“The places where we purchase or need to pick up donations for Thursday, we might not be able to access them.”
While neither organization knows exactly what challenges may come after the storm, both said they’ll adjust as needed to continue serving the community.
“I feel like we are prepared to overcome those challenges when next week comes,” Gallardo said. “This is not the first winter storm we’ve experienced. We’ve never closed. We may change the day and time, but we are still here.”
Wheland added, “It’s always a bit chaotic with inclement weather. We just try to get through it the best we can.”
Meals on Wheels will not distribute meals on Monday, but plan to resume services Tuesday unless it’s announced otherwise.
La Cosecha said they’ll be posting updates on their Facebook page regarding food box distribution on Thursday.
To access La Cosecha’s Facebook page, click here.
For further questions, you can reach out to La Cosecha at 918-771-1595.
To access Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa’s Facebook page, click here.
For further questions, you can reach out to Meals on Wheels at 918-627-4105.
