Oklahoma City families express gratitude for holiday food

Wright said the food was all that stood between a meal of Hamburger Helper and a traditional Thanksgiving feast for her and her children.

“It kind of means Thanksgiving for us,” she said.

The young mother was one of about 400 individuals to receive a turkey from the Jesus House, 1335 W Sheridan Ave., Tuesday. The giveaway also included sacks with foods such as stuffing mix, canned goods and potatoes.

Wright said she is between jobs. She said her estranged husband took her car and money over the weekend and left her and their children without a way to get around or funds to buy food. She said she and her 3-year-old daughter found a ride to the Jesus House on Tuesday, hoping that they would make it before the giveaway closed for the day. Wright said she found out her car had been impounded, and she wasn't sure she would be able to get back to the shelter on Wednesday.

Other residents said they, too, appreciated the holiday bounty.

“It's a blessing that they do this because a lot of people don't have food for Thanksgiving,” a woman who preferred to be called only “Gloria,” said Tuesday.

Another woman, “Corena,” who picked up a free turkey Tuesday, said she waited in line for about an hour to get her free Thanksgiving groceries.