Choctaw Nation Food Distribution making strides in service
Choctaw Nation Food Distribution is rolling out several new features to its already effective program.
Food Distribution has recently purchased a bobtail truck and frozen trailer to assist in transporting frozen meats and goods. During each month, employees travel to Idabel, Broken Bow, Smithville and Bethel to serve clients who live a considerable distance from the nearest distribution center.
In the past, clients would be limited to non-frozen goods or forced to make a trek. Now, those who are only able to make it to the mobile distribution centers will be offered the full array of choices, and those who traveled to the permanent centers will have the option for a more convenient location.
Trista Winnett, store manager for the Durant location, mentions that she is excited for the upgrades in the services and mentioned that she expects to see larger numbers during the mobile distributions. It is expected that this change will initially benefit an estimated 100 households.
Winnett also mentioned that all clients are welcome to make multiple trips to any of the centers during business hours, and that a weekly trip – opposed to monthly – will use less storage space and allow clients to keep their supply fresh.
The Durant facility will no longer be closed during lunch beginning Dec. 1. This will allow clients to make a trip at any time during the day without interruption to the schedule.
Construction on the new Durant facility is also moving along nicely, according to Winnett. The new center will offer store-style distribution and a larger variety of services to better serve eligible Choctaws.
Food Distribution currently has centers in Durant (580-924-7773), McAlester (918-420-5716), Poteau (918-649-0431) and Antlers (580-298-6443). If you would like to know more about the program, please call 580 -924-7773.
Each participant receives approximately 80 food items totaling 85 pounds of food per person in the household. Rules for receiving food distribution benefits include:
- One resident per household (any age) is required to have a CDIB card.
- Social Security numbers and cards are required.
- Verification of income is required: copy of a payroll check, or if unemployed, a card from the Employment Office will be needed.
- Verification of residence is required; a utility bill containing name and address.
- Cannot be receiving food stamps.
- Must reside in the 10.5 counties o the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.