Watch: John 3:16 Mission Provides Thanksgiving Food To Families In Need

Thousands of Green Country families in need will have a Thanksgiving dinner this year, thanks to the kindness of Oklahomans.

Local organizations are feeding people through donations this week to help them enjoy the holiday. Volunteers are packing boxes with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, and each family will also receive a turkey. Monday is the first day of food basket distribution at Tulsa’s John 3:16 Mission.

With food prices up nearly 13 percent from this time last year, non-profit leaders expect more families will need help this year.

"We know that we are struggling as a community and with what's going on at grocery stores and the gas pump, the people we MINISTER to are really struggling,” said Rev. Steve Whitaker, CEO and Senior Pastor of John 3:16 Mission.

Whitaker says the mission is prepared to feed more than 20,000 people. He says each food basket can feed four or more. Starting Tuesday night through Thursday, the mission will host Thanksgiving dinners and Whitaker anticipates more than 1,200 people. He says John 3:16 is hitting record numbers this season with more than 250 beds filled every night.

Whitaker says months of planning led up to this week.

"It's a time of great joy and I got to go down the line and greeted with wonderful smiling faces and people that are anticipating having a Thanksgiving meal,” Whitaker said.

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma also expects to provide 100,000 meals to families this week. Those distributions are happening Tuesday and Wednesday at different locations. You can find more information here: Food Bank Thanksgiving Meal Drive (okfoodbank.org)

John 3:16 Mission will continue Thanksgiving basket distribution Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family and Youth Center. The dinners will be Tuesday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Life Hall.