All meals are served at the First United Methodist Church Activities Building at 301 W.Delaware Street Tahlequah. Over 60 volunteers perform a myriad of duties to be of service to anywhere from 20-150+ guests each week. Energy is focused on providing a community for one another. Long before the guests arrive on Thursday, the head chef for the evening selects the menu, purchases the groceries, and prepares the food with his or her assistants. Tables and chairs are placed, the tables set, and beverages prepared by volunteers. For the health and safety of volunteers and guests, volunteers wash their hands upon arrival and wear face masks, those handling food or used dishes wear gloves. Volunteers are asked to be vaccinated for COVID-19. At Feed My Sheep guests and volunteers alike wear first-name nametags. Guests are greeted and seated at round tables, each with a volunteer table host who makes sure needs are met and conversation flows. Meals are served restaurant-style, with volunteers waiting on assigned tables; there is no standing and waiting in line. At the meal’s end, guests select from a variety of homemade desserts, prepared and plated by volunteers, and presented on a dessert tray. On the last Thursday of the month, birthdays are celebrated with a giant birthday cake, candles, wishes, and vociferous singing. Separate teams of volunteer’s clear tables, scrape dishes, wash pans and dishes, clean up the dining room and kitchen, and put away all tables and chairs. Leftovers are immediately shared with local shelters. Tahlequah Feed My Sheep began service on July 14, 2011, following five months of planning. Volunteers from five area churches formed to make the initial ecumenical ministry:
First United Methodist, St. Basil’s Episcopal, First Christian, First Presbyterian, and First Baptist. Brigid’s Catholic, D. D. Etchieson Methodist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Cornerstone Fellowship, Grace Baptist, and other churches and faith traditions became involved. When partnerships were formed with Northeastern State University Departments of Health Professions and Social Work, Tahlequah High School, Kiwanis Club, NEO Health, and We Go Global, Feed My Sheep evolved into a community organization. In recent years, the Tahlequah Area Coalition for the Homeless has provided meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Tahlequah Feed My Sheep has a volunteer Board of Directors whom work together to maintain the organization and it’s success in feeding the hungry. Tahlequah Feed My Sheep is totally dependent on donations. Tahlequah United Methodist Church handles all fiduciary responsibilities.
