Olney Answers Growing Holiday Need at Thanksgiving

Local nonprofits, churches and businesses have stepped in to meet what some described as a noticeable rise in food insecurity among area families— prompting a larger-than-usual effort to ensure no one goes without a holiday meal.

The First Baptist Church of Olney (FBCO) once again mobilized volunteers and Texas- New Mexico Electric employees earlier this month to hand out about 200 frozen turkeys and trimmings on Nov. 10—a slight increase from previous years, FBCO Pastor Dr. Chad Edgington said.

FBCO’s broader food program, which distributes large volumes of groceries every month, has also seen changes in who is asking for help.

Deacon Doug McCutcheon, who oversees the program, said FBCO is seeing new faces among those turning up for the church’s monthly produce deliveries from the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank.

“We have seen some new folks,” he said. “About 90 percent of the people we give out to are the same week after week, month after month, but lately, the number of people who aren’t connected to the Ministry of Helps (an Olney food pantry connected to the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank) has gone up. Some are facing food insecurity for the first time.”

Their long-standing partnership with the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank allows church volunteers to meet the rising demand, he said. The monthly produce truck, which parks at 929 Bluebonnet Drive on the first Monday of every month, gives away between 75 and 85 bags of fruits and vegetables.

“In the last three years, the need has more than doubled,” Mr. McCutcheon said.

Volunteers are preparing for another large outreach on Dec. 8, when the church will deliver about 150 frozen turkeys, chickens, hams, and full holiday meal boxes to any household requesting one, he said.

Horizon Country Church has also prepared for higher demand— though Secretary Gina Maxwell said the story this year includes an unexpected bright spot.

Last year, the church delivered 325 Thanksgiving meals. This year the church had 230 reservations as of earlier this week, but Ms. Maxwell says demand usually surges in the final days and she expects the final number to reach about 275.

Ms. Maxwell personally calls families on her list each year to confirm needs, and this year many families told her they were choosing to reunite with relatives they had been estranged from.

“I feel like with the ones I’ve spoken to, families are making it a point to get together, which is an absolute blessing,” she said. “Several said the family unit wasn’t so great last year, but they are making amends and coming together, and that makes my heart happy.”

Horizon’s final deliveries went out Wednesday. Families could choose to pick up meals or have them delivered.

“If I know someone is going to be alone, we double up—I send two meals,” Maxwell said.

At the Olney Senior Cub Center, Director Angela Lockard said the nonprofit is also feeling the effects of rising food costs and financial strain among older residents.

The center hosted its annual Thanksgiving meal on Tuesday, drawing 55 seniors—up from the usual 40 to 45, Lockard said.

The senior center, which delivers Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors and serves weekday meals for $5 to $7 per meal, now has seven people on the waiting list for home-delivered meals, and more walk-ins who say they cannot afford to pay for their lunches.

“We’re seeing more people experiencing financial hardships,” Mrs. Lockard said. “People are coming in who just can’t afford meals, and we’re doing what we can.”

Local businesses also see a greater need this year: The Voyles family, owners of the Old Time Cafe on Main Street, will open the cafe’s doors at noon on Thanksgiving Day to serve a free holiday meal to anyone wanting a warm plate and company.

“We ask for no money,” their Facebook announcement read. “Just know you will have a warm place to sit and enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving dinner that our family will loveingly serve.”

The cafe is inviting families to call ahead at 940-250-9711 so they can prepare enough food.