Tulsa-Based Genesis Project Helps The Hungry

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The tough economy has more and more Oklahoma families struggling to afford to feed their families.  National advocates estimate 15% of Oklahoma families are food insecure.  One man is determined to change that and he's not doing it one sandwich at a time.

People line up for blocks by the hundreds, carrying babies and empty boxes and looking for a little help.

And, when they leave, their cups runneth over.  It's called the Genesis Project.

"If you're hungry and you need food, you need supplemental food, then this is the place to come," said the Genesis Project's Jason Hamlin.

There are no applications, no records and no charge.  Jason Hamlin says it is his calling, his ministry and his life's mission.

"Started with two bags of Starbucks pastries and it has turned into literally millions of dollars worth of food," said the Genesis Project's Jason Hamlin.

He'd grown to feeding 15,000 people every week in California when he says his faith directed him to Tulsa.

"When we moved to Tulsa, our first one that we did in north Tulsa at Chamberlain Park over 300 families showed up on the first one," said the Genesis Project's Jason Hamlin.

Jason and Tara Hamlin have made Tulsa their world headquarters. They have more than 10,000 square feet of space filled with everything from razors to cereal.  Pallet after pallet has been paid for by churches from around the world, including the Middle East.

"And when a lot of people hear that the Middle East is helping the poor in America they just can't grasp that," said the Genesis Project's Jason Hamlin.

In helping many, the Hamlins realize they might feed some who are not truly needy.  But, they say it's enough that the little ones with eyes full of wanting leave with a full basket and smiles on their faces.

The Genesis Project hopes to have five sites operating in Tulsa, once a month.  So far, they have two.  The next one is this Saturday at Chamberlain Park.