Southern Baptist disaster relief feeding and debris removal units were being staged across the state today as Oklahomans awaited the latest winter storm to cut a swath across the state.
“We have 17 mobile feeding units and two church kitchens prepared to serve food to those who will be affected by this storm,” said Sam Porter, disaster relief director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. “We have been coordinating our efforts with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to be able to provide hot meals to the shelters they will be setting up.”
“We have never before activated all of our kitchens at one time in the state,” Porter said. “This may provide Oklahoma Baptists with an unprecedented opportunity for ministry.”
In addition, the Convention’s 16 chain saw units have been placed on alert and are ready to swing into action once the storm passes through either Friday or Saturday. Porter said officials in neighboring states also have offered to provide debris removal teams, if needed.
Assessors will determine need and prioritize jobs through an application process, Porter said.
“The priority, as it always does, falls to those who cannot help themselves in these situations,” he said. “That includes the elderly, widows, those with special needs, and single mothers.”
Following is a list of sites of feeding locations being set up by Oklahoma Southern Baptists:
Bartlesville, First Baptist Church
Broken Arrow, Arrow Heights Baptist Church
Duncan, Fairgrounds
Edmond, Waterloo Road Baptist Church
Elk City, First Baptist Church
Elmore City, First Baptist Church
El Reno First Baptist Church
Enid, Red Cross Shelter
Guymon, First Baptist Church
Henryetta, First Baptist Church
Kingfisher First Baptist Church
McAlester, Armory
Muskogee, Fairgrounds
Oklahoma City, ARC Shelter at Messiah Lutheran Church
Oklahoma City, Southern Hills Baptist Church
Ponca City, Salvation Army Kitchen at First Baptist Church
Pryor, First Baptist Church
Sapulpa, Ridgeway Baptist Church
Tahlequah, First Baptist Church
Tulsa, First Baptist Church