Tulsa Police, FC Tulsa Team Up With Food Program To Feed Families In Need

A Tulsa non-profit is teaming up with FC Tulsa and Tulsa police to make sure more families have groceries and other essential items.

It is the first time the volunteers, the soccer team and police officers are all working on this project. La Cosecha gives food to families every week, no questions asked. The non-profit said next week's giveaway should be one of its biggest events because of the people involved.

Every Thursday, about 2,000 families line up at Iglesia Hispana Victory Church near 41st and Garnett to get free groceries and other essential items. Rita Gallardo and her family started this project in 2015, first by giving food to church members.

"We just wanted to give back,” explained Gallardo. “We love people. Our family loves people.”

Gallardo said La Cosecha, which means "harvest" in Spanish, wants to help as many people as possible.

Dozens of volunteers continue the mission every week.

"We're very excited, and we're honored to have different organizations that are partnering with us,” said Gallardo. “There's definitely a great need in the community."

The giveaway is so popular that Tulsa police help with traffic control, and that's how some officers started volunteering and even passed out backpacks to students last August. Wayne Farmer with FC Tulsa told News On 6 while working with Tulsa police on other community engagement projects, TPD invited the team to volunteer at next week's food giveaway.

"We have players from all across the world, different countries, and I know they're excited to get out, meet members of the community and also learn a little bit about Thanksgiving,” said Farmer.

Farmer said players and staff are excited to give back to fans and the community.

"We support the hard times they're going through, all the great things La Cosecha does," said Farmer.

The next giveaway is Tuesday, Nov.23 because of Thanksgiving. The grocery giveaway starts at 10 a.m. and ends when there's no food left.

To learn more about La Cosecha’s programs, ways to donate, and volunteer opportunities, visit its website here: