KUDOS OF THE MONTH: Iron Gate
IRON GATE: Volunteers serve the hungry.
For more than 20 years, Iron Gate has been feeding the hungry and homeless of Tulsa in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Each weekday morning, a hot nutritious meal is served to 400—450 guests. Each Friday, about 60 grocery bags of food are given to needy families. In cold weather, blankets, hats, gloves and warm socks are distributed. On weekends and holidays, sandwiches, fruit and coffee are served with milk for the children.
Named for the ornate ironwork of the church which houses the charity—Trinity Episcopal Church—Iron Gate partners with eight faith congregations, four schools and more than 20 companies and foundations to fulfill its mission. About 90 percent of the food for Iron Gate (almost 110,000 pounds annually) is purchased from the Tulsa Community Food Bank at an average cost of 16 cents a pound. That’s a retail value of nearly $165,000. Area merchants donate some of the provisions and volunteers give nearly 100 hours of service a week serving the food. While Iron Gate’s half million dollar budget includes the volunteers’ time and donated food, cash is still much needed and is raised through fund-raising efforts throughout the year.
“I am looking for 500 individuals or businesses to donate $100,” says Annette Taylor, associate director. “That would make such a difference to us as we close 2005.”
Those wishing to help may send their tax-deductible contributions to: Iron Gate, 501 S. Cincinnati Ave., Tulsa, 74103. Tel: 582-4128.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35.
Updated 12-19-2005
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