Iron Gate’s
Coronavirus Outbreak Response

Coronavirus Update: June 2020

“Load me up!” she yelled out of her open window even before her car came to a complete stop. She wore a homemade mask and an expression of mild panic.

“I haven’t gotten groceries since I was here a month ago,” she explained. “I have a chronic condition. I can’t go to the store. I’m out of everything. Please give me as much as you can.”

Iron Gate staff members went to work and filled her empty trunk with groceries, from fresh produce to canned goods to pre-made microwaveable meals from Tulsa Kitchens Unite. And you could see the anxiety drain from the woman as her stores of food were replenished.

“Thank you so much… I really appreciate ya’ll.”

Since the Coronavirus Outbreak changed life as we know it in March, Iron Gate staff members have seen this cycle of panic and relief play out over many faces. It has redefined our role as an “essential service.”

Iron Gate has continued to feed the hungry and homeless of Tulsa throughout the pandemic without interruption. Iron Gate leaders made adjustments to abide by city, state, and federal recommendations, but all programs — daily community meal and emergency grocery pantry — remain open and operating.

Things are different. Iron Gate temporarily closed its dining room and transitioned to providing carry-out meals in the morning. A hand-sanitizing station was placed before the meal pick-up to encourage hand-washing. Each carry-out meal includes a double portion of the hot meal as well as a sandwich. Every day, staff members hand out meals through the gate to make sure those in need get food.

Iron Gate’s grocery pantry has also undergone a transformation. Guests used to be able to come inside and shop just like in a grocery store. To minimize contact, Iron Gate switched to a pre-packed box of groceries distributed through a low-contact drive-through or walk-through pantry. Guests can receive 25-35 pounds of groceries without ever leaving their cars. Many of the guests visiting Iron Gate’s pantry have never been to Iron Gate before and point to the Coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind their need for assistance. Iron Gate is also working with our social service partners and case managers to help provide their clients with groceries.

Demand for Iron Gate services are up across the board. Iron Gate is serving 40% more meals over the same time period last year. Part of the increase is due to Iron Gate’s efforts to provide breakfast and dinner for a temporary homeless shelter set up in response to the pandemic. Grocery pantry is serving 50% more households than this time last year. While the global pandemic caused demand to balloon practically overnight, it also prompted our volunteer workforce to evaporate just as quickly. Many of our loyal volunteers are eager to return to Iron Gate, but out of an abundance of caution we continue to suspend our volunteer program. Food donation drives have also dried up, forcing Iron Gate to purchase more food to meet the increased demand. Despite the challenges, Iron Gate is fulfilling its mission every day.

And the gratitude has poured in from emails, cards, and phone calls.

“I just called to say thank you so much,” a guest recently said. “It’s like you guys knew exactly what I needed.” She gushed in a phone call.

“That makes it all worthwhile, ”said Carrie Vesely Henderson, Iron Gate’s executive director. “It’s been tough. Our staff is working long hours and it’s hard work. But we see every day what it means to people and we’re just so grateful for our supporters who help make this happen.”

Iron Gate is preparing for what’s to come. Near record-high jobless claims increase the worries over food insecurity. And as the threat of a second wave looms, Iron Gate leaders are challenged to plan for the best, while preparing for the worst.

“The challenges are real,” Henderson said. “If you think of our volunteers like our staff, we’re working to serve twice as many people with half the staff. But we don’t want to put anyone’s health at risk. We’ve seen some supplies, like peanut butter, run short. All the while the people keep coming.”

Henderson says Iron Gate is here for those people. And with your help, we can continue to feed the most vulnerable in our community.

Iron Gate remains committed to feeding the hungry and homeless of Tulsa during these uncertain times. We have made adjustments to abide by city, state, and federal regulations, but our programs – daily community meal and emergency grocery pantry – are open and operating.

Iron Gate has transitioned to providing carry-out meals in the morning, including information on how our guests experiencing homelessness can protect themselves during the Coronavirus outbreak. We are also encouraging hand hygiene with a hand-sanitizing station placed before the meal pick-up. Iron Gate has moved to a low-contact drive-through pantry to encourage social distancing, while providing 25-35 pounds of groceries per household. Iron Gate is also working with our social service partners and case managers to help provide their clients with groceries.

As the outbreak continues, we anticipate that the need for grocery assistance will continue to grow. Iron Gate is in this for the long haul. While many organizations are pitching in to meet the needs of the food insecure, this is what Iron Gate does every day. We were helping provide food before this crisis; we will be there during this crisis; and we will be there when the crisis abates.