John 3:16 Sees Record Number Of People Utilizing Warming Station

The City of Tulsa received 7.5 inches of snow during this latest winter storm. While many people stayed warm at home, hundreds of Tulsans experiencing homelessness had to utilize warming stations.

Four warming stations are in Downtown Tulsa and most are open 24/7.

The following locations are open to individuals and families seeking shelter:

1. John 3:16 Mission | 506 N. Cheyenne | Open 24/7
2. The Salvation Army Center of Hope | 102 N. Denver Ave. | Open 24/7
3. Tulsa County Emergency Shelter | 2401 Charles Page Blvd. | Open 24/7 – Operational, but has reached capacity
4. The Merchant Tulsa | 605 S. Peoria Ave. | Open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. thru Saturday

Darrell Nutter is one of several men seeking shelter at John 3:16 Mission.

"It's a community. We're real tight knit. We know each other," Darrell said as he spoke with News On 6 outside the shelter.

He said he's experiencing homelessness and said the homeless community knows each other well.

"We have to be together and tight knit like that because you never know what's going to happen. You might not wake up the next day," said Darrell.

The brutal freezing temperatures, strong wind, sleet, and snow brought him to John 3:16. It's a place he's frequented in the past.

The nonprofit helps those in need by providing them with food, shelter, and ministry.

"Every night we have chapel, and that is wonderful. It's food for the soul," added Darrell.

Reverend Steve Whitaker with John 3:16 said that the nearly 70-year-old nonprofit saw a record number of people seeking shelter over the last couple of days.

The warming station holds 135 but at times, it was standing room only.

While John 3:16 typically only allows men to stay overnight, it has created a small, separate space for women in a different part of the building.

If you see someone in the freezing temperatures without a shelter, you can fill out a request to have the Homeless Outreach Program connect with them.