Iron Gate Co-Founder Gene Buzzard Leaves Lasting Legacy
Gene Buzzard helped start Iron Gate in 1978. Without his vision, dedication, and unwavering support, Iron Gate wouldn’t be what it is today. We’re so humbled by his generosity and saddened by his loss. It was his random act of kindness that led to this organization that feeds hundreds of people every day. Scroll down to read more about his legacy.
I don't think any of us had any notion that a simple street-feeding program would develop into a program as significant and beautiful as Iron Gate. But I am thankful that it did.
-Gene Buzzard, 2018
Iron Gate Founders: Gene Buzzard, Rev. Jack Powers, and Keenan Barnard
Founders attending an Iron Gate event in 2019.
Iron Gate Founders along with Executive Director Carrie Vesely Henderson and 2019 Board President Mindy Morrison Taylor. Photo: Valerie Wei-Haas, Tulsa People
Adapted from an article in the Summer 2018 issue of Inside the Gate celebrating Iron Gate’s 40th Anniversary.
In 1978, Gene Buzzard, Keenan Barnard and Father Jack Powers stepped out of a bible study class at Trinity Episcopal Church to fix a homeless man a sandwich. It was that act of kindness that has inspired four decades of generosity and a mission to feed Tulsa’s hungry.
“I recall that we were serving hot meals almost from the beginning, initially using some leftovers from area restaurants like the Cherry Street Bakery and the Tulsa Club,” said Founder Gene Buzzard. Buzzard said Iron Gate volunteers cooked food in crock pots and the primary focus was feeding people who lived on the street. As the organization grew, Iron Gate added the grocery pantry, so families in need could receive groceries. The organization Buzzard and his friends nurtured for 42 years served more than 233,000 meals and provided groceries for more than 10,000 households in 2019.
Buzzard says Iron Gate wouldn’t be where it is today, if it wasn’t for the support of the Trinity church community. “From the very beginning the people of Trinity embraced the project,” said Buzzard. “And, perhaps because the program from the beginning was not only non-denominational, but imposed no religious test of any kind, it soon gained support from people of all faiths or no faith; from those who simply had a desire to help feed the hungry.”
“I don't think any of us had any notion that a simple street-feeding program would develop into a program as significant and beautiful as Iron Gate,” Buzzard said. “But I am thankful that it did.”