Lawton Food Bank Serves 3,000 More People Monthly as First-Time Clients Jump 75 Percent

The City of Lawton proclaimed Sept. 29 as National Hunger Action Day, and the honor came with sobering numbers. The Lawton Food Bank is now serving more than 3,000 additional people each month compared to last year. First-time clients rose 75 percent, climbing from 4,879 to 8,582. Between July 2025 and Aug. 1, 2026, the organization served 63,519 neighbors and distributed over 2.3 million pounds of food.

Executive Director Alex McCann credits the surge to higher food, fuel and household costs, along with changes to SNAP. The food bank has expanded with a guest-choice grocery model and mobile distributions, but warehouse space, refrigeration, volunteers and funding are all under pressure. Plans for 2027 expansions are already in motion with partners like Memorial Health Systems and Lawton Public Schools.

If you want to help, the math is simple. A $50 donation provides a week’s worth of groceries for a family of four. Donations and volunteers are both welcome, and the need is local, from Fort Sill families to seniors on fixed incomes. Have you ever volunteered at the Lawton Food Bank, or do you know someone who has? Tell us in the comments.