Blackwell Library Wraps Up Record-Setting Summer Food Box Program

The Blackwell Public Library has wrapped up its largest summer food box program to date, distributing thousands of food boxes throughout June and July. The initiative was made possible through partnerships with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Hunger-Free Oklahoma.

Each box, available to anyone 18 and under, contained a week’s worth of shelf-stable breakfasts and lunches. One box was provided per child, helping to ease food insecurity for local families during the summer months.

“This is a program we cherish,” said Director of Operations Talyn Spence. “We love being able to provide this for the community.”

The program, a staple of the library’s summer outreach efforts, saw staff braving the summer heat each week to hand out boxes during a one-hour distribution window. Staff also handled the heavy lifting behind the scenes—unloading delivery pallets and storing the food in preparation for distribution.

On busy Wednesdays, cars would begin lining up well before the 2 p.m. start time, stretching for blocks down the street.

Support from the community played a key role in the program’s success. Melissa and JWayne Hudson of the Top of Oklahoma Museum lent their carts, shelves, and storage space to help manage the weekly deliveries. On the program’s first day, the Blackwell Public Power Electric Department lent a hand as well.

“Our Electric Department is always so eager to help, and we cannot thank them enough for their assistance,” said Spence. “And our Blackwell Police Department was always quick to get the word out with Nixle alerts.”

Spence credited the library’s dedicated staff for keeping the program running smoothly all summer. “It’s a lot of work,” she said, “but with the hard-working staff we have here, and the joy that this program brings to people who come through the line weekly, it was all worth it.”