OKC Infant Crisis Services, Food Bank Work To Meet Demand

Grocery stores across the country are working overtime to keep product on the shelves as coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads. It's left many shelves empty and families in a panic.

A consistent flow of traffic could be found at Infant Crisis Services in north Oklahoma City Monday. Many families in need, breathing a sigh of relief at the site of essentials.

“We've been looking for formula and diapers,” said Leslie Granados, the mother of an 8-month-old. “There is nothing in the stores. Nothing. It’s just crazy. Everything is crazy.”

Right now, Infant Crisis Services is operating it’s drive thru only for everyone’s health and safety. Shutting a portion of the building down was a tough but necessary decision.

“We try to actually put it in the back in their trunk or in the back of their truck so that they (customers) stay in their car while we do that work so it provides that social distance,” said Miki Farris, Executive Director of Infant Crisis Services.

Right now, most items are in stock, but Farris said that won't last forever without the help of community donors.

The work has become heartbreaking.

“We have people pulling up and crying because they have been to a Walmart or a Target, wherever they buy their formula and it’s not there,” said Farris. “They become desperate and as a mother and a grandmother, I totally understand that.”

Meanwhile spirts are up at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma as the staff works to pack emergency food boxes full of canned veggies, meats, soups and pasta.

Later this week the public will be invited in, volunteers are needed to help.

“We promise we are going to be (practicing) safe social distancing,” said Cathy Nestlen, Director of Communications & Marketing at Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “We are going to be doing lots of handwashing and sanitizing before during and after the shifts.”

It's during chaos, you often see the best of humanity. These organizations who are helping others hope to see that in coming days.

“I know that other people will step up just as soon as they can figure out how to do that,” said Farris.

Click here to learn more about volunteering at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Infant Crisis Services is accepting donations online.

An Amazon wish list has been set up for Infant Crisis Services.