Tulsa Day Center Feeds About 200 On Christmas Day

Many of Tulsa's homeless had a hot meal this Christmas, thanks to donations made to shelters like the Tulsa Day Center.

About 200 people stayed at the Tulsa Day Center on Christmas.

Employees said thanks to a donation made in the morning, turkey and ham were both on the menu.

"You want everybody to have a nice meal on Christmas,” employee Phil Hurley said.

"Today has been a blessing,” Jon Butler said. “I feel blessed."

This is Butler's second Christmas at the center. He's been homeless for more than a year.

"Since December 17, 2017,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released its annual report on homelessness.

In a news release, it said the number of homeless people across Oklahoma is down by almost eight percent compared to last year.

But in Tulsa, the number hasn't changed much. The Mental Health Association Oklahoma said according to the Community Service Council, it's gone up by less than one percent.

Butler said he's noticed a difference in the crowd.

"There's a lot, a more younger people crowd here this December compared to last December,” Butler said.

"I think there's a little more than I expected today,” employee Jodi Holloway said. “I guess I'd hoped more people would be home with their families."

The Tulsa Day Center said it always has plenty of donations during this time of the year, but the donations tend to taper off after the holiday season.

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