On a gloomy April afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma, more than 200 people turned to Food and Shelter for a warm meal and a dry refuge. As they passed through the lunch line, they were welcomed by the smiling faces of four Oklahoma City Thunder corporate office staff members.
On April 22, members of the Guest Relations and Human Resources departments volunteered at Food and Shelter – serving lunch, cleaning the dining area and preparing meals for the following day.
As each individual passed through the line, they were grateful for what was offered to them – ingredients and toppings to make a burrito, carrot cake and cookies – and many were eager to chat with the Thunder staff members.
“We were very encouraged by the level of gratitude that the people expressed,” said Joy Dyer, a member of the Thunder Guest Relations team. “Every single person we served was happy to get whatever we had to give.”
The group volunteered at Food and Shelter, which started more than 30 years ago as a once-per-week lunch for people who were homeless, as part of the team’s continued commitment to the Oklahoma Standard. Since its start in 1983, Food and Shelter has since grown to be a fully operational soup kitchen and shelter program and relies heavily on the time and efforts of volunteers.
That afternoon at Food and Shelter was not only impactful for those individuals receiving a warm meal, though. The group of volunteers left feeling like this opportunity to lend a helping hand allowed them to make a difference in the community and be more appreciative for many of the things we take for granted each day – food and shelter.
“Leaving that opportunity made us all think about ways that we can strive to share things that may otherwise go to waste,” Dyer said. “If we have a larger perspective and choose to see the big picture about life in our community, rather than just life in our own context, we can serve each other in ways that will transform life as we know it. Serving others can be addictive because of the deep sense of joy you walk away with.”
Food and Shelter relies heavily on the time and donations of people throughout the community. To find out how you can get involved with the organization, visit www.foodandshelterinc.org.