TULSA, Okla. — 2 Works for You teamed up with Supreme Lending The Madrid Group to help three local charities continue giving back to individuals and families in need during the pandemic.
During our #GiveFromHomeDay, a national fundraiser, we highlighted the Salvation Army Metro Tulsa, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa.
Each is experiencing a decrease in funding in recent weeks due to event cancellations and other factors caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
At the food bank, the chief executive director says there are helping more people than usual and anticipates the situation will last for several months to come.
"Early predictions right now are showing that we are seeing a 30 to 50% increase in the number served, and keep in mind we’re only about four or five weeks into this," says Lori Long, the chief executive officer of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
The private relief-hunger organization distributes nonperishable food items and fresh produce across 24 county-service areas.
The Salvation Army's Center of Hope, which helps the homeless population in the Tulsa metro area, is also seeing a big need in the community.
"On a daily basis, we serve 900 meals a day, and throughout this COVID, we've actually seen a 17% increase in the number of folks we are feeding," says Dr. Kim Falcon, the director of development at Salvation Army.
Volunteers hand out warm meals every day outside the center.
It also provides shelter for the homeless and has converted its cafeteria into a sleeping area with beds spread six feet apart to follow social distancing guidelines.
Another organization experiencing a higher demand than usual is Meals on Wheels. The nonprofit provides nutritious meals to home-bound seniors.
While the organization continues its delivery services, it's had to modify its 50-year-old model in recent weeks due to the coronavirus.
"We've had to change our driving system to where we have paid drivers, and we deliver once a week seven meals for the week, and then we do checks by phone call," says Bob Beard, the vice president of community relations.
From Meals on Wheels clients to the Salvation Army's Center of Hope and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the needs of the people being served has increased as well as the new individuals seeking help.
2 Works for You and Supreme Lending The Madrid Group are proud to report that #GiveFromHomeDay brought in a total of over $114,500 for the Tulsa charities!
To donate to these charities, click here.
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