First Christian Church giveaway changed to last Saturday each month

For almost three years, First Christian Church of Henryetta has been providing much needed assistance for those in the community.

As a part of the outreach ministry, a food pantry at the church was set up to help individuals and families around the community.

“Savings souls and reaching out” is how church member Jane Johnson describes their work.

“The gal that set it up was pretty much doing it all,” she said, but has since taken a step away from the program due to health issues.

Johnson said that all the work is done by volunteers, and the donations come from the church and its congregation, along with the assistance of a local sorority, who provides needed funds to obtain food supplies.

The food distribution, previously held on the third Tuesday, has now changed to the last Saturday of the month, Johnson stated.

“We have a minister and his wife out of Jenks that said they could help us,” she said.

The food distribution is from 10 a.m. to noon, at the church, 5th & Cummings.

The ladies group of the church also holds a rummage sale, possibly in June, with a portion of the funds raised going to help with the food pantry, and the other to assist the church.

“This church was built in ‘22,” Johnson said. “But they met somewhere else before that, but that was before my time,” she added with a laugh.

Individuals desiring assistance from the food pantry are asked to provide information and how many are in their household. They also can choose which items to receive, for instance, if they have children in the home.

“They can pick a lot of stuff,” she said. “We give them a pretty good choice.”

Johnson said there are a few deliveries that are made to those unable to venture out to pick up.

“We try to get a lot of stuff that doesn’t have to be cooked,” she said. “And we do have meats too, but we work with them individually to see what they need.”

There are also hygiene products available.

The volunteers work along with other programs in the community that also provide assistance.

Anyone wishing to donate items for the pantry, can leave a message at the church, and someone will return the call.

“We also have another church, Joy in Life, and he is really helpful in getting things and works with us,” Johnson said.

The church can be reached at 918-652-3480 for more information on how to help.