'Delighted To Be Here': Volunteers Distribute Food Boxes With Donated Items To People In Need At John 3:16 Thanksgiving Food Drive

The John 3:16 Mission is handing out Thanksgiving food baskets to people in need today.

Over the past few weeks, the John 3:16 Mission has worked to tackle food insecurity during the holiday season by accepting donations of Thanksgiving food items at select Reasors and Walmart's around Tulsa.

A long line of cars leads into a parking lot where you can find smiling faces and hope.

This is Grant Cousins's third year distributing food to people in need at the John 3:16 Mission Thanksgiving food drive.

“We all get to provide food for people during Thanksgiving cause we all get to have that, so we want that for everyone else,” he said.

Beverly Allen is also taking some time out of her day to help hand out boxes of food and frozen turkeys.

“Came here at 7:30 and delighted to be here,” she said. 

She says it's important to give back because of the special interactions and hearing people's testimonies. 

“It’s very heart-wrenching to hear some of the stories; it's very important that we help our people in our community,” she said. 

Jeff Lorenz is on traffic duty, and this is his first time taking part in the food drive.

“It’s just amazing how many people are lined up, and it's good to see the expression on their face when they get this food,” he said. 

Lorenz believes days like today are the epitome of the name of the November holiday: a day of giving.

“There’s so much we’re all given, and then there’s a lot of people that have without, and I’m just feeling glad that I can help support them in some way or fashion, and this is a good way to do it,” he said. 

If you weren’t able to make it today, the mission will be giving out food that’s leftover throughout the week at the John 3:16 Family and Youth Center. In addition to meal distribution, the mission plans to serve Thanksgiving dinner on November 21 and again on Thanksgiving Day. 

The mission is still collecting donations and says they’re still short of items such as cranberry sauce, instant potatoes and canned fruit.