By Jeromee Scot – News on 6 Reporter
Tulsa’s Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma is experiencing a sharp rise in demand for food, housing and emergency assistance while also calling on the community to step up and volunteer.
TULSA, Okla. – Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma serves anyone facing instability in their life, regardless of religious affiliation. The organization offers food assistance, housing support, dental care, maternity services, immigration assistance, ESL classes and a high school equivalency program at its campus at 2450 N. Harvard Ave. in Tulsa.
Volunteer Coordinator Joell Griswold said the organization has seen a significant spike in people seeking help in recent weeks.
“It’s been a huge uptick in the last two weeks,” Griswold said. “We’ve seen a major uptick, and I would love to have an answer as to why. There’s lots of theories swirling around, but regardless of the reason, the reality is we’re seeing a huge increase.”
Griswold said food is the most common need she sees, but it often opens the door to discovering other challenges clients are facing.
“The food is their doorway in, and then oh my goodness, do we hear their needs,” she said.
What the food market offers
At the heart of Catholic Charities’ food assistance is what Griswold describes as a dignified grocery shopping experience. Clients who show proof of ID and a proof of address can shop the organization’s market once per month at no cost.
The market carries canned goods, produce, refrigerated and frozen items, and household goods. Griswold said clients leave with a minimum of $300 worth of groceries, completely free of charge. Volunteers escort clients to their vehicles and load their groceries for them.
Hot meals are also served Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside a newly opened atrium on campus. The organization plans to expand meal service to additional days beginning in January.
Catholic Charities serves households, not individuals, meaning one visit per address per month can benefit an entire family living under one roof.
Who can receive services
Griswold said one of the biggest misconceptions about Catholic Charities is that clients or volunteers must be Catholic to participate. That is not the case.
“People know our name, but they don’t know us,” she said. “People think you have to be Catholic to receive our services. People think you have to be Catholic to volunteer, and that is completely false.”
Most services, including the food market, are available on a walk-in basis during open hours. Housing stability assistance now requires an appointment due to increased demand. Dental care and maternity services also require appointments. Immigration services are available by phone, though Griswold said a wait list is in place.
For those hesitant to reach out, Griswold had a direct message.
“This is a completely judgment-free zone, and the majority of us are one paycheck away from that same phone call,” she said. “Just come up here and see us. A face-to-face conversation and a soothing voice and a caring heart goes so much further than even a phone call.”
The need for volunteers
Catholic Charities relies heavily on volunteers to keep its operations running, and Griswold said demand for help is growing alongside the need for services.
The organization currently has between 140 and 145 core volunteers, but Griswold said that number needs to grow, particularly as the campus expands and the volunteer base ages.
“We are always in need of volunteers, and we’re expanding our campus, so our need is just going to continue to grow,” she said.
Volunteer roles range from greeting and checking in clients to stocking produce, working in the freezer section, serving lunch, loading grocery carts and cleaning. Griswold said there is a role for every personality type, including those who prefer to work independently and away from client interaction.
She said her volunteer retention rate is high once people come through the door and experience the environment firsthand.
“Once they’re here, they’re almost always here,” Griswold said. “It is so fulfilling.”
Volunteers are needed throughout the year, not only during the holidays. Tuesday evenings are among the most active shifts. High school students, corporate groups and retirees all make up the volunteer base.
Vintage Market Days partnership
Catholic Charities has been selected as the nonprofit partner for the annual Vintage Market Days event in Tulsa for the third consecutive year. The event runs Friday through Sunday at the Creek County Fairgrounds and features hundreds of local artists, vendors and small business merchants offering items ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
Catholic Charities will have a booth on site all weekend where volunteers will offer free gift wrapping and answer questions about the organization’s services. The organization is also accepting donations of shelf-stable protein items such as peanut butter and beans at their booth.
Vintage Market Days is selling candles at the event, and proceeds from those candle sales will benefit Catholic Charities directly.
“Vintage Market Days loves to give back and they always have a nonprofit of their choice, and we are honored to be their nonprofit again,” Griswold said. “It’s a win/win for us to reach people who might have questions about us and not even know all the services we provide here.”
For more information about Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, including how to receive services or sign up to volunteer, visit cceok.org.
For tickets and information about Vintage Market Days in Tulsa, visit vintagemarketdays.com/market/tulsa.
Catholic Charities sees surge in need as holiday season approaches – News on 6 – November 12, 2026.