Lawton Food Bank Special Food Distribution For Soldiers & Families Affected By Government Shutdown

Unfortunately, families in Oklahoma are being affected more by the government shutdown than most other states in the country. In fact, a new study from WalletHub shows that Oklahoma is the 9th most affected state, even compared to highly populated states like California and New York.

In response to the shutdown, the Lawton Food Bank hosted a special food distribution day on Wednesday, October 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, active-duty military personnel, their families, federal employees, and anyone directly affected by the shutdown were able to receive food, baby supplies, and more from the Food Bank.

While this event was something out of the ordinary, it is not the only time that soldiers and families in need are able to get help from the Food Bank. In fact, resources are available and easily accessible for anyone who needs them.

Oklahoma ranks among the top ten states most affected by the government shutdown.

Out of all fifty states in the country, Oklahoma is the 9th most affected state. The study from WalletHub compared several factors affected by the shutdown, such as the number of Federal Jobs, Federal Contract Dollars per capita, and the number of families who rely on SNAP benefits (food stamps).

Although SNAP has continued during the partial shutdown, there is a possibility that it could eventually run out.

Oklahomans are specifically affected most in relation to SNAP benefits and Federal Jobs. We have the 7th highest number of families who rely on food stamps and the 8th largest share of Federal Jobs in the country, according to the study.

The numbers don't just show in the study, however. They also showed up at the Lawton Food Bank special drive.

Soldiers stationed at Fort Sill show up to support others impacted by shutdown.

The Lawton Food Bank volunteers start distributing food to visitors at 10 a.m. each day. They allow visitors drive through the carport attached to the warehouse, fill the cars with what families need, and then continue preparing for donations and more after the line has gone through.

On Wednesday, however, over 50 families lined up in their cars for the special food distribution. The line stretched nearly to the end of the gravel road leading to the Lawton dog park on Wolf street. This was in addition to the several families they had helped before 2 p.m.

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Despite the fact that the drive was meant to assist active military, an incredible amount of soldiers from Fort Sill showed up to give out the food to other families and people in need.

"This doesn't normally happen," one of the Food Bank employees said, in reference to how many people were there to volunteer on Wednesday. But what the Lawton Food Bank does do regularly is give out help to those who need it - no special event needed.

How often can families and individuals receive help from the Lawton Food Bank?

One of the most difficult struggles with the government shutdown is the uncertainty of when things will return back to normal, or what they will look like once things open back up. But the volunteers at the Lawton Food Bank want people living in Oklahoma to know that they don't have to wait for special events to take advantage of their resources.

Anyone with an Oklahoma address is welcome to come to the Food Bank and can visit as often as every 30 days. Of course, recipients must fit the eligibility qualifications, which are listed here.

Here are more photos of the many soldiers and volunteers who dedicated their time on Wednesday, October 15, at the Lawton Food Bank for the special drive.