Vernon AME Church, Community Service Council Come Together To Fight Hunger

The Vernon Chapel AME Church and Community Service Council joined forces Saturday morning to feed Tulsa’s homeless and provide for families in need.

It was the second Black and Brown BBQ food distribution event from Community Service Council’s Power of Families Project.

“We are trying to support and connect the Latino community to create a community engagement for our community, address the needs for now,” Community Service Council community advisor Maria Kuykendall said.

The program began six years ago. Kuykendall believes there is no better time than now to serve struggling families.

“The pandemic is affecting almost double to the Latina and African American community,” Kuykendall said.

Volunteers helped provide families with boxes of food as a they arrived at the church. Pastor Robert Turner said COVID-19 has caused a rise in poverty in Tulsa.

“People that beforehand didn’t need services like this,” Turner said. “(Now they) find themselves needing it.”

Approximately 200 boxes of fruit and vegetables were also handed out along with 200 trays of various types of food.

“Partnering with Community Service Council has greatly enhanced our opportunity to serve,” Turner said.

If you would like to find out how you can support similar community outreach programs, click here.