OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program has announced an increase in the guide rates and an increase in food options to start on Sept. 1.
According to manager Devin Davis, this is the first time he has seen an increase in the guide rates in almost 20 years working in the industry.
“The cost of living has a lot to do with it,” Davis said.
With the increase in food supplies monthly, participants will be able to afford other living expenses and worry less about food.
Now individuals will receive increased units in proteins, including meat and egg options.
For example, the units of meat will increase from three units to five units per individual household, according to Davis.
Not all, but some meat options are two pounds per unit, potentially increasing the total from six pounds to ten pounds per month.
“Not all our meat is equal to two pounds. The meats that are two for one are hamburger meat, bison, pork chops, canned tuna and canned chicken,” Training and Compliance Officer Anita Watashe said.
Many of the participants live on a fixed income like disability or social security, according to Watashe.
Davis claims he worries about the elders who may have family members in and out of their home who use some of the resources they have. Many of them live on fixed incomes and rely on other programs.
Many participants will try to ration meals to last through the month, which can get difficult.
Food distribution only offers a select amount of items to cover each food group. Participants from time to time may have to purchase other grocery items out of pocket.
With the increases the program will provide even more selection in items. Now included on the menu is bison stew meat, fresh eggs, and frozen strawberries.
For lead inventory Mike Wegley, he claims the increase only applies to certain items, thus the workload does not change too much for his small team.
Overall the crew hopes this increase will help attract more participants.
Davis and Watashe claim the program numbers have still been low since the pandemic started. Many left the program and went to SNAP benefits.
Since the pandemic has ended, many participants have been dropped from the SNAP Program, their guidelines have since gone back to pre-pandemic status.
For the food distribution program, income guidelines remain the same.
According to Watashe, there is no limit on the number of family members in a household for the program, as long as they meet other program requirements. The largest household served has included 10 family members.
The program serves any member of a federally recognized tribe residing within the Mvskoke reservation boundaries.
For more information call 918-549-2401 or visit; https://www.muscogeenation.com/muscogee-nation-agencies/department-of-community-and-human-services/#Food-Distribution.