Drive-Thru Grocery Distribution Feeds Hundreds Of NE OKC Residents

A drive-thru grocery pick-up helped to feed hundreds of metro residents on Thursday and kept them safe. Several community programs came together to provide free meals in northeast Oklahoma City.

Volunteers handed out bags of groceries in The Market grocery store parking lot near Northeast 23rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the only grocery option in that area.

Word of the food distribution spread fast.

“The restore place sent me a text,” said Danielle Ballard, northeast Oklahoma City resident. “Come up here and get free food, so I was like hey let’s do it.”

Ballard was one of dozens of citizens who lined up in their cars for free food.

“The turnout here today has been amazing,” said Rev. Deborah Ingraham, Executive Director Skyline Urban Ministries “I think I’ve signed in over a hundred households already.”

Many of the families were unsure where their next meal or dollar would come from. 

“This is very beneficial,” said Tracy Lane, northeast Oklahoma City resident. “You know especially for those that lost their jobs or about to lose they [sic] job.”

Restore OKC and Skyline Urban Ministries teamed up to provide groceries to everyone who showed up.

“We have got a mobile pantry that is outfitted like a small resource food center and we are giving folks about two to three days of staples,” said Ingraham.

Volunteers kept a safe social distance. All drivers had to do was pull up and grab the bags.

“Whatever helps,” said Ballard. “I appreciate it. I don’t beg, I’m grateful for whatever they give me.”

If they did not already know, residents were reminded of The Market neighborhood grocery store that is in their backyards. The store is open six days a week, accepts SNAP benefits and not only offers discounted food, but something you cannot put a price on.

"We have hope for something coming over here,” said Lane. “That’s been taken away from us.”

Organizers plan to hold food distributions again on the second and fourth Thursday of every month. The pick-up locations will vary.