A local nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity is resuming its monthly block parties featuring entertainment, food trucks and fresh produce on a "pay as you can" model.
Food On The Move is at Chamberlain Park at 4940 N Frankfort Ave. Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They’ll be back there the third Tuesday of every month the rest of the year. Starting July 27, Food On The Move will be at Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N Greenwood Ave., the fourth Tuesday of each month. In September, they’ll add a stop at Tulsa Community College Northeast Campus, 3727 E Apache St.
"So instead of, like, 'Hey, you have to come to us,' because honestly, one of the problems with food insecurity and food deserts is transportation and different things like that. And so, what we do is we go to the community, and we want everyone to come out because you want to bring people together," said Food On The Move Executive Director Kevin Harper.
Harper said the block parties are meant to build community, and all are welcome. There will be a DJ and family-friendly activities at the block parties, along with several partners to connect people with various resources.
"FC Tulsa, they're going to help address our food and movement issue. ... OSU Extension office will be doing some cooking demonstrations, giving out recipes. We've got Morton Health, going to help people sign up for, like, Medicaid expansion and do some health checks. The food bank is there, Hunger Free [Oklahoma] will be there signing people up for SNAP. We have organizations that help people find jobs," Harper said.
Food On The Move paused in-person events in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During its shift to drive-thru produce and grocery giveaways, the organization distributed more than 4.5 million pounds of food.
More information about the block parties, volunteering or donating is available at Food On The Move's website.
