The New Emergency Resource Agency, a food and resource agency and partner to the Regional Food Bank, continues to operate fully with recent demands that continue to rise. NERA has shifted its model drastically to ensure it adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social distancing guidelines. Under this model, clients are not entering the facility and food is pre-boxed to help ensure those in need are receiving the food they need while protecting those providing and receiving the food being exchanged.

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s partner agencies report a nearly 25% increase in the number of people they are serving this week. The last 10 working days NERA served 713 people. The previous 10 working days 540 people were served. Thus, in the NERA coverage area alone, a 25% increase existed which parallels with what is happening at the state level.

“I commend Tom Short and the NERA staff and volunteers for continuing to fulfill the mission of NERA. This team has worked very hard to make the necessary accommodations to ensure we keep serving those in need. I’m very proud of the work being done,” said NERA Board President Erin Liberton.

“Typically, one in six Oklahomans face hunger. Now we are facing layoffs and other hardships, so the service being provided at NERA is critically important.”

NERA Executive Director Tom Short added, “We are taking the necessary precautions to protect our team to ensure we can remain open. We know we are both critical and essential and we have no intention of closing. We are seeing people that we haven’t seen in a long time and we’re happy to be here to help.”

NERA remains open for business and has not changed their hours. The recent changes have included adjustments to their process of operation which primarily resemble that of a remote assembly line.

For more information please visit their webpage www.nera-frc.org or visit the New Emergency Resource Agency’s Facebook page. Volunteer opportunities exist but are more limited due to increased social distancing requirements and safety needs. For additional information contact (580)765-5272 or email nera@cableone.net.