Hands of Jesus, Inc. (HOJ) was awarded a $330,000 grant from Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) in July 2024. HOJ is a Christ-centered, nondenominational food pantry in Guthrie. The funds were used to make physical improvements to HOJ’s facility by paving the parking lot for better and easier access to the building, constructing custom cabinets for additional storage and better distribution, and updating and creating a pleasant environment for their clients. The grant could not be used to purchase food or pay normal operating bills. It is intended as an investment in HOJ’s future and to better serve the residents of Logan County.
“Our little food pantry has been transformed into something we only dreamed about” , said Cathy Hudson, Executive Director. “We are so grateful and thankful for what God has done here. We love our clients. We love our community, and we love the opportunity He gives us to serve. We see God at work here on a daily basis. God’s still in the miracle business!”
All improvements have been completed, and HOJ is back to its normal operating procedures on Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Their contractor, Nick Petropoulos, with The Home Revolution Co. was invaluable during the construction period and provided an exceptional renovation.
HOJ is hosting a community open house on Tuesday, December 10 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and invites all to come see the improvements and learn about their organization. All donations to HOJ are 100% used towards feeding those in need in Logan County, and all individuals who help are completely voluntary and receive no compensation. For additional information and ways to donate, please visit thehandsofjesus.com.
The grant was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) dollars. The grant was designed to support the availability of and access to affordable and nutritious foods across Oklahoma, especially in areas that have been negatively and/or disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, $12.5 million was allocated from the state’s ARPA dollars through Senate Bill 1186 for the grant. In 2024, Senate Bill 1192 added an additional $8 million to increase the amount of payments to qualified organizations.
OHS received a tremendous response in grant applications with nearly 170 organizations requesting more than $40 million in grant awards. More than 150 organizations were awarded funds ranging from $740 to $1.5 million. Organizations who requested $250,000 or less were fully funded, while those over $250,000 were evaluated based upon the specific needs of the organization and criteria listed in the application.
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