OKLAHOMA CITY – EMBARKis partnering with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide senior transportation to a pair of monthly food distribution sites in Oklahoma and Northern Cleveland Counties. The program is funded by a grant from the Areawide Aging Agency.
“This partnership will enable us to extend service to senior residents who might otherwise struggle to access these food distribution services,” said Jason Ferbrache, EMBARK director.
The service is free, provided by EMBARK through a grant-funded partnership with Areawide Aging Agency, with funding through the federal Older Americans Act. The new program is a shared-ride service, limited to 15 participants per location per month.
"We are grateful to EMBARK and Areawide Aging Agency for this partnership," said Jim Struby, chief impact officer of the Regional Food Bank. "Removing the barrier of transportation is an important step in ensuring metro seniors facing hunger have access to nutritious food."
Two food distribution sites will be served: Moore Food & Resource Center (2635 N. Shields in Moore) on the third Thursday of the month, and Evangelistic Baptist Church (3129 N. Martin Luther King in Oklahoma City) on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Interested seniors should already be qualified by the Regional Food Bank to receive food distribution services before calling for transportation. Those interested should contact the Regional Food Bank at 405-600-3164 for information on qualifying for food distribution services.
Reservations are required for transportation and must be made seven days in advance of the food distribution date. Interested seniors should contact EMBARK at 405-297-2583 and select “option 1.”
Seniors will be picked up at their residence and transported to the food distribution site, and the vehicle will return all seniors to their homes afterward.
Food distribution sites and dates:
Moore Food & Resource Center - 2635 N. Shields, Moore
Route Runs Monthly on the 3rd Thursday:
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
Evangelistic Baptist Church - 3129 N. Martin Luther King, OKC
Route Runs Monthly on the 4th Tuesday:
February 25, 8:30 a.m.
March 24
April 28
May 26
June 23
On the date of food distribution, seniors should bring a current photo I.D. (international I.D.s are accepted) plus an additional document with name and address, such as a utility bill, lease, pay stub, letter from a government agency, or hospital bill. Online bills will be accepted if able to view on a smartphone.
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Media Contact
EMBARK
Michael Scroggins
O (405) 297-2107 M (405) 837-9510
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Austin Prickett
C (405) 426-0984
About EMBARK
EMBARK is the business unit of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA) – a public trust administered by theCity of Oklahoma City. EMBARK is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and convenient public transportation and downtown parking solutions to the greater Oklahoma City area.
About The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is leading the fight against hunger in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma and envisions a state where everyone, regardless of circumstance, has access to nutritious food. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank is the state's largest hunger-relief 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes food through a network of community-based partner agencies and schools. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. To join the fight to end hunger, visit rfbo.org.
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