Rogers County, Oklahoma – Ray Crutchfield, whose family was hit by the May tornado this year and who lost his job following surgery, is among the hundreds of Rogers County residents who received a free holiday meal on Friday, thanks to Share the Spirit.
“This will save us a lot of money,” Crutchfield shared while waiting in line for his meal box in Claremore. “I ran out of benefits, I didn’t have any income, so it’s going to help.”
Since 1987, Share the Spirit has been spreading holiday joy by providing traditional Christmas meals to those in need. This year, the meal boxes contained ham or turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn, green beans, fruit, and rolls, according to Tamryn Cluck, the organization’s vice president.
Residents from across Rogers County registered for a box by December 13. In the days leading up to distribution, volunteers gathered at the Rogers County Building in Claremore to prepare 763 boxes, as stated by Dan DeLozier, Share the Spirit’s president and District 1 commissioner.
On Friday morning, volunteers loaded boxes onto trucks for delivery to towns such as Catoosa, Chelsea, Inola, and Oologah, while others distributed meals at the Claremore Expo Center.
Scott Chambless, a criminal justice instructor at Northeast Tech, brought his students to assist with packing and distributing boxes. He said this hands-on volunteer work was a meaningful way to end the semester, emphasizing community service as a vital aspect of future law enforcement and public safety careers.
In Chelsea, cars lined up around Cavalry Lighthouse Church, where volunteers handed out the meals. Jace Encinas, one of the recipients, said he learned about the program on Facebook and appreciated the much-needed support.
For Radeen Malek, Share the Spirit reflects divine love. “We have a small family at the house, and we don’t get that much there,” Malek said.
In Claremore, cars stretched beyond the Claremore Expo Center as volunteers passed out meal boxes. Regular recipient Debbie Ficklin praised the organizers for their efficiency. “As groceries keep getting more expensive, this program helps my husband and me get through the holiday season,” she said, adding that she often shares unused items with other seniors in need.
While Share the Spirit has brought relief to many, DeLozier noted that the organization is facing financial challenges. Donations have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, and savings are running low. In response, a new fundraising campaign will launch in January 2025.
DeLozier expressed gratitude to donors like RCB Bank, Frank Robson, and local schools such as Stuart Roosa Elementary, Claremore Christian School, and Oologah elementary schools for their support.
“It’s a big job, but it’s not about recognition,” DeLozier said. “What we’re doing here is very important because so many people in Rogers County truly need these baskets.”