Food Giveaway At Asbury Church Feeds Hundreds Of Families Every Week

An area food distribution feeds hundreds of families in Tulsa a week.

It happens every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m. at Asbury Church located at 6767 S Mingo Rd. 

However, the effort began nearly 16 years ago with one pastor. "It was God's idea. I was not ready for it, but it was His desire," said Maria Hermysillo, Pastor of Cordero De Dios.

In 2022 she partnered with Asbury Church to grow the food distribution. "I could not do it without them," Hermysillo continued saying, "Especially parking, space, financial support, spiritual support, paperwork, everything. They are a blessing to us."

Together the churches help even more people feed their families. "We used to have like 30 families now there are sometimes up to 700 families," said Hermysillo.

This food distribution is a drive-thru. Each car that pulls up is greeted with a smile and is loaded with boxes full of fresh produce.

"Sometimes we will have oranges, bananas, tangerines, grapes, strawberries," Hermysillo added. "It is good to see all those vegetables and fruits."

The food comes from the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and is enough to help families get by until next week. When it is not, Asbury helps fill the gaps.

"There are a few times where Asbury will pitch in and supplement and purchase some extra beans or rice and things to make sure that what they have given us we can expand it and feed more people," said Lead Volunteer Lanette Celoni.

Food that feeds their appetites and the souls of everyone involved.

"We just find that it is a blessing to be able to give them some physical food, maybe some spiritual food, and just be able to offer them just a gleam of hope," said Celoni.