On records the Checotah Methodist Mission reached 2,372 households and 6,677 individuals through the Food Pantry in 2023. With 240 new families added last year to the demographics, the 2023 Food Pantry expenses was $35,603.88. That number is only expected to go up as the cost of living continues to rise in America and more families find it too hard to put food on their tables.

According to a USDA, Economic Research Service, in 2022, 12.8 percent of U.S. households had food insecurities during the year, meaning there was difficulty providing enough food for all their members in the home because of a lack of resources. Those 12.8 percent of food-insecure households (approximately 17 million households) includes 5.1 percent ( or 6.8 million) that experienced very low food security, an even more severe form of food insecurity in which the food intake of some household members was reduced, and normal eating patterns were disrupted because there simply wasn’t enough food for everyone.

In 2022, 36.7 percent of households with incomes below the Federal poverty line were food insecure. Of those insecurities, the most common come from rural areas or large cities.

The highest food insecurities (above the U.S. average) were reported in six states, which included Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. In fact, Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in the nation with the majority served are chronically hungry children, seniors living on limited incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet.

In McIntosh County too many homes suffered this statistic, that’s why during the summer of 1983 minister Larry King stepped out in faith that his church could help provide clothing to those in the community on a fixed income. It was simply called All Souls Community Ministry. Then in 1984, the former Ford garage property was purchased just east of the Checotah Methodist Church and food and clothing began being dispensed from there three days a week.

In 1991 the Fellowship Hall and the Methodist Mission building were built. Then in 2004 a work/sorting/storage area was added on to the Checotah Methodist Mission.

When leadership changed over in 2011, a purpose was written: The Methodist Mission’s focus is to serve God’s children by providing food, clothing, spiritual needs and community outreach. They have been doing that ever since.

In 2013 they reorganized again adding specific roles for: Chairman of the Board, Financial Manager, Secretary, Day Managers and Pantry Manager. The mission participates in the USDA program and is run by a board. They also have 30 or more volunteers from the community who help run the mission which is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Currently the following volunteers help in these specific areas: Special Sales (Valentine’s, Easter, Halloween, etc) – Christi Johnson Toys – Roxy Moore Christmas Sales – Denise Leonard Food Pantry – Louise Slinkard Mission Board Chairman – Marianna Callich Mission Board Treasurer – Bruce Callich There are many volunteers behind the scenes who help keep the mission running smoothly. They help sort food, clothing and also distribute items to other places in need within the community.

The mission receives food from the Tulsa Food Bank monthly plus the U.S. Postal Service collected cans this past May and Checotah schools does a food drive each Thanksgiving to help fight food insecurities within the community.

“We also buy locally when we can,” Marianna Callich said. “Then we distribute holiday food baskets the last four weeks of the year. These are extra food baskets with special items for families to enjoy a holiday meal.”

Some other community outreach the Methodist Mission was involved in 2023 included donations to: Larado Ministry, First Baptist Church –Clothing, coats, medical supplies Baby clothing to Muskogee Catholic Ministry Material to Mennonite ladies to make shawls and scarves for less fortunate School supplies to teachers – Books, teaching tools, etc.

Softball/Baseball equipment to city hall for sports complex Stuffed bears to nursing home Blankets to animal shelter Special sale on homecoming dresses Ceramic dolls to Doll Hospital in Texas Rags to Ken’s garage “This is only some of the ways the Checotah Methodist Mission focuses on the needs of our community,” Callich said. “Our customers are our friends and neighbors. Besides trying to help with some of their physical needs, we also care about their spiritual needs and we lift them up in prayer. God has been so good and this is His ministry. We are just the caretakers and strive to be His hands and feet.”