Opportunity Tulsa providing Covid-19 Hunger Relief meals through Nicholas Kristoff C-19 grant
Opportunity Tulsa Youth preparing to assemble meal kits.As the result of a Nicholas Kristoff C-19 grant that we received through our membership with Catalyst Kitchens, we have been busy putting Covid Hunger Relief meals out to the community since late January of 2021.
Meal ingredients and recipes have been prepared by Monie Horsechief of Horsechief Catering (Pawnee, Oklahoma) and accompanying produce items have been secured through the Healthy Corner Grocery Store Initiative in Tulsa.
Community partners, such as the Common Good at the NW Hub, The Well Church of Tulsa, The Coffee Bunker, and The American Legion have assisted by working with us to identified recipients in need for the pizza meal kits for 4 that have been distributed to date. Food insecure citizens in Pawnee, Oklahoma have also received meal kits as the result of our collaboration with Horsechief Catering.
Fresh produce increased the nutritional value of the meals.Youth participating in our culinary training program are included in this effort as paid interns at our distribution events. Together, they have designed a socially distanced approach to compiling the ingredients into family bags and assisting recipients or community distributors with loading or storing the bags. A reflection about one of our student’s experience with one of our events is available to read here
We are so grateful to the Nicholas Kristoff Foundation for the grant that makes it possible for us to participate in this important work of getting meals onto the tables of our community members. And special thanks to Catalyst Kitchens for their continued work that supports what we do to open doors of opportunity to those who experience barriers to employment for a variety of reasons.