Help for the Homeless in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

With temperatures dropping further in the winter, rising higher in the summer, and winter weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, the less fortunate are more in need than ever. According to the Homeless Alliance, in a 2009 report, Oklahoma City is home to an estimated 5,900 to 7,375 homeless people, with many being under the age of 17. The recent economic recession has likely added to that number, meaning more Americans are going without adequate food, clothing, and shelter on a daily basis. There is help available to the homeless, if those more privileged will help.

Homeless Shelters

Several homeless shelters offer refuge from the cold to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma's homeless population. Adam Knapp, in his article on homeless shelters lists shelters such as the City Rescue Mission at 800 W. California, Grace Rescue Mission at 2205 Exchange Avenue, Jesus House at 1335 W. Sheridan, and the Salvation Army at 330 SW 5^th. All of these offer some form of shelter to the homeless, and are likely to have a warm meal and clothing for those in need. Homeless shelters are often in need of volunteers to staff the kitchens, as well as donations of food, clothing, and hygiene supplies.

The Red Andrews Christmas Dinner

Since State Representative Red Andrew began the first Red Andrew's Christmas Dinner for the less fortunate in 1940, the Red Andrew's Christmas Dinner has been an annual event in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The event takes place every Christmas day and serves more than 7,000 people (NewsOK, 2010). At the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner, the homeless and near homeless receive a turkey dinner and other holiday foods. Children can have their faces painted and receive toys donated by the people and businesses of Oklahoma City. Dozens, if not hundreds of volunteers, host the dinner each year at the Cox Convention Center on Christmas morning. For future Red Andrews Christmas Dinners, donors can send checks payable to the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner to P.O. Box 54856, Oklahoma City, OK 73154.
Hot Dogs for the Homeless

A unique charity for the homeless in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hot Dogs for the Homeless offers hot dogs to homeless people in the downtown area on Sunday afternoons. Rick Swyden, founder of Hot Dogs for the Homeless began his work with Oklahoma City's homeless people on January 5, 2003 and has served 113,131 hot dogs free of charge to the homeless since then, according to his website. His efforts began after stopping to sit and talk with a homeless man and buying him a hot dog for lunch one day. Rick Swyden and his friend Mike Velte, with the donations from hundreds of people, have spent the last seven years offering hot dogs to and conversing with the homeless in Oklahoma City. Donations can be sent to Hot Dogs for the Homeless at P.O. Box 30976, in Midwest City, Oklahoma 73140.

Sister B. J.'s Pantry and Saint Joseph's Closet

Rounding out this list of resources for the homeless this winter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is Sister B. J.'s Pantry and Saint Joseph's Closet at 819 NW 4th Street. Sister B. J.'s Pantry opened in 2006 to serve the needs of the less fortunate in Oklahoma City and has expanded to include clothing and a library (Sr B. J., 2011). Sister B. J.'s offers Oklahoma City's homeless and near homeless: blankets, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and clothing, including coats in a safe, quiet environment. It also operates the St. Therese Emergency Vehicle on nights when temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees to offer warmth in the form of: thermal blankets, long johns, clean underwear, hot chocolate and soup to the homeless sheltering in popular gathering points. It truly is a remarkable organization dedicated to serving the physical and spiritual needs of Oklahoma City's homeless.

Donations

If you are reading this, and able to spare anything, be it as little as $5, or more, do so to one or more of the addresses above. The homeless are as you or I, but for a different turn of events. If you do not live in Oklahoma City, seek out shelters in your local area and donate to them. I plan to donate to Hot Dogs for the Homeless and Sister B. J.'s and will continue to donate any income earned from this article to them for as long as it remains viewable.

Sources:

Evans, Murray (2009). Number of Homeless in Oklahoma City Slightly Up.
Knapp, Adam (2011). Oklahoma City Homeless Shelters. About.com.
NewsOK (2010). Organizers Need Volunteers, Donations for Red Andrews Christmas Dinner.
Swyden, Rick and Velte, Mike. (2011). Hot Dogs for the Homeless.
Sister B. J.'s Pantry. (2011).