Food and Shelter Continues to Help Norman's Most Vulnerable During COVID-19 Crisis

 NOTE: Beginning with this article, we will profile several organizations that Ideal and its employee family have supported for a number of years. These groups face particular challenges in serving their beneficiary populations during the coronavirus pandemic. If you are in a position to help, any of them are greatly deserving of your backing. While all our lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, probably none have been more severely impacted than those who were already among the most vulnerable: the poor and the homeless. Luckily, there are dedicated organizations, like Food and Shelter in Norman, who -- even in these precarious times -- continue to provide essential services to those in greatest need. ABOUT FOOD AND SHELTER Founded in 1983, Food and Shelter’s mission is to feed the hungry and to help the homeless find their way back home. Although the organization’s services have expanded over the years, Food and Shelter remains focused on helping moms, dads and children live better lives. Even though it has had to adjust its approach due to current circumstances, Food and Shelter recognizes that meals and nutrition are critical in the fight against any virus. As a result, the organization has been striving to ensure Norman citizens in need retain access to food. After all, for most of those they serve, Food and Shelter is their only option for meals. SERVICES As a result, Food and shelter is serving breakfast and lunch to go each day. Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. and lunch at 11:00 a.m. Those who can’t come inside to pick up their meals can call the organization at 405-360-4954 and a bag of meals will be brought outside to their car. They also have a food pantry that those in need can visit seven days a week, a few people at a time. Visitors can complete a checklist of personal choices, which pantry workers will bring outside to their car. The organization takes sanitation very seriously and wipes down every pencil, seat and surface after each person is served. High risk individuals are asked to stay in their car and call (405) 360-4954 when they arrive and the paperwork will be brought out to their car, as will their supplies once the paperwork is finished. HOW YOU CAN HELP Although in normal times Food and shelter welcomes all who’d like to volunteer, due to the virus they must currently limit those who come into the building and are no longer allowing people to just show up and serve. However, in the near future they will be looking for ways to deliver food to those in need. If you are interested in being a delivery driver, email April Heiple at alheiple@foodandshelterinc.org. They desperately need your help in this and other ways. DONATIONS NEEDED To continue their mission, Food and Shelter needs cleaning supplies, to-go containers, plastic ware and plastic/foam cups for coffee. To see what they need for their food pantry visit this page on their website and scroll to the bottom. In addition, they need financial donations now, more than ever, as their demand (and resulting increased cost) for food and to-go trays is higher than ever before. You can help this incredible organization continue its vital services by making an online donation HERE.