Church, food truck team up to help neighbors impacted by tornado
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma City residents near SE 89th and Sooner Road are cleaning up and in need of supplies to take care of their children, after a tornado came through the area early Sunday morning. Now, a church and food truck are stepping up to help.
"Their lives have been uprooted," said Jessa Anderson, a member of Windwood Free Will Baptist Church.
"There's a lot of distraught families out today," said Antonia Alfaro, of La Birria food truck.
Windwood Free Will Baptist Church and the La Birria food truck are sharing a parking lot, surrounded by neighborhoods that were rocked by the tornado early Sunday morning.
"There was no warning. There was no time for mothers to get their babies to safety," said Anderson.
The church is offering everything from bottled water, food, clothes, and even electricity.
"If anyone needs to charge their phones or anything like that, you are more than welcome to come," said Anderson.
The items people appear to need the most are baby formula, bottles, and diapers.
All day, people have been coming by to pick up and drop off supplies.
Just a few yards away is Antonio Alfaro's food truck, La Birria. He's been serving up hamburgers and hot dogs.
"It's comfort, it's comforting," said Alfaro.
He's been serving food since Sunday evening.
"A lot of people requested we come back today because they were going through the rubble," said Alfaro.
Some donated money to keep him going, while others donated their time.
"We saw him on Facebook and that's when we decided to reach out and help him," said Amari Stephens, who's family helped serve and cook food.
The free food is for anyone impacted by the storms like first responders, line crew, and of course those whose homes were hit.
"The ceiling in the living room come down," said Pamela Pennington, who's house is now destroyed.
Her family of seven, has been without power since Sunday morning. They haven't been able to cook.
"We got seven hot dogs and seven hamburgers," Pennington said.
About two years ago, the Pennington's moved here from California. Her tearful reaction to the kindness says it all.
"Just love Oklahoma," Pennington said. "California wouldn't do this."
From warm clothes and blankets, to a belly full of warm food, Oklahomans are taking care of Oklahomans.
"It is amazing to see what we do as a community," said Anderson.
If you'd like to donate to Windwood Free Will Baptist Church, they are in need of baby bottles, formula, and newborn diapers. The church is located at 5300 SE 89th Street in Oklahoma City.