Jesus House accepting donations for Thanksgiving baskets

Jesus House accepting donations for Thanksgiving baskets
Mike Bateman, executive director at Jesus House, aranges items in a grocery sack, as an example of what will be given to low-income families during this years food basket hand out, in the donations warehouse at Jesus House. mh

Jesus House, an Oklahoma City Christian outreach center, is collecting donations for its annual Thanksgiving food basket distribution campaign.

“We’re more than just a shelter. We’re a shelter with a mission, and we’re to help the needy and the homeless and low-income families,” Jesus House executive director Mike Bateman said.

Throughout the year, Jesus House provides shelter, meals, furniture and clothing to people in the Oklahoma City community who need a little extra help.

But during the holidays, Jesus House brings in 400 to 500 volunteers to hand out 2,000 food baskets to low-income families. These donations will feed about 8,000 people. Bateman expects that the shelter will give out 1,500 Thanksgiving food baskets and 500 Christmas ones.

The Thanksgiving baskets are stocked with items like frozen turkeys, frozen hams, boxed stuffing mix, chicken broth, turkey or chicken gravy mixes, instant mashed potatoes, canned cranberries or cranberry sauce, canned yams, canned vegetables, dessert mixes and pie fillings. Jesus House welcomes donations of all of these items from the community in order to make the food basket distribution campaign a success.

Jesus House accepting donations for Thanksgiving baskets
A frozen turkey donated for this year's food basket distribution campaign, in the Jesus House warehouse recently. mh

Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for meaningful family time and a balanced meal, he said.

“Some of these families may not have a complete meal throughout the week … I think [the food baskets] makes it a relaxing and enjoyable time,” Bateman said.

The Thanksgiving food baskets will be handed out beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 24-26, the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Baskets will be distributed each day until the allotted supplies for that day run out.

Last year, Jesus House handed out 1,300 baskets in three days. So this year, it’s expanding its efforts to reach even more families.

Jesus House aims to create ministry relationships with the community members it serves through the holiday and regular food baskets; the soup kitchen; the clothing and used furniture donations; the street ministry; and the Adopt-A-Block program, which offers gardening and repair services.

The shelter also offers a recovery program for the homeless who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have a mental diagnosis.

In order to receive a Thanksgiving food basket, the family member in line must present proof of residence and identification, but no pre-registration is necessary.

Jesus House is taking donations until 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at its offices, 1335 W. Sheridan Ave.

Those who are interested in volunteering to hand out the baskets or learning more about Jesus House can visit jesushouseokc.org.


Print head: Carpenter’s pantry, A local outreach is accepting donations for its annual Thanksgiving food baskets.

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