Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Our Visit to Broken Arrow Neighbors
A team from First Christian Church in Broken Arrow recently toured Broken Arrow Neighbors (BAN), and we left inspired. Our BAN liaisons, Janet Chapin and Mindy Bennett, were joined by Bill and Beverly Forester and Matthew for a walk through the facility with Executive Director Abi Sutherland. We are thrilled to be renewing our partnership with this remarkable organization.
A Small House with a Big Idea
BAN's story begins in 1983, when a group of churches partnered to open a small house with a simple goal: help neighbors in need. Today, that small house has grown into a huge warehouse. Seven full-time staff members keep things running, supported by roughly twice as many volunteers each week. Walking through the facility, it is hard not to be amazed that something so large started with so little. It is a wonderful reminder of what a community can build when it shows up together.
Meeting Needs, Day by Day
BAN offers help in a few different ways. Emergency bags filled with nutritional staples are available to anyone who needs them, no questions asked. Each bag can carry a household through a few days.
Where BAN truly shines, though, is in its appointments. Every week, the team hosts about 100 appointments with families who are struggling, and each one sends a family home with enough food for up to three weeks. BAN also provides financial assistance for utilities, helping families keep the lights on while they get back on their feet.
Powered by Generosity
BAN has partnerships with larger statewide food pantries and some area companies, but the lifeblood of the organization is donations. Every meal, every appointment, and every emergency bag is made possible by neighbors who decided to give.
Our Part This Thanksgiving
We are excited to do our part. This November, our church will help assemble holiday bags for Thanksgiving, with each bag providing a meal for a family. Abi shared that BAN plans to serve 350 families for Thanksgiving and another 350 for Christmas. As of October 1, 75 of those Thanksgiving spots have already been claimed, which tells us just how much the need is growing and how quickly this community responds.
How You Can Help
We highly recommend Broken Arrow Neighbors and the wonderful people who run it. If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve this season, whether as an individual, a family, a business, or a church group, we encourage you to reach out to BAN and see how you can pitch in. Many hands make a full pantry.
We are grateful for this partnership and proud to stand alongside our neighbors at BAN. We hope you will join us.
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