“Our Mission is that of being of immediate but effective service to the homeless in all their needs, material and spiritual, until they can find some others who can help them in a better and more lasting way”.

Sister BJ’s Pantry

History and Vision

Sister BJ’s Pantry, named after its visionary Sister Barbara Joseph, and opened March 3, 2006.  The pantry currently serves over 600 men, women, and children a week.  Anyone in need is welcome.  Pantry patrons include people who are without shelter and many who are struggling with poverty and loneliness.  Some are struggling with addictions or with mental illness.  Most have suffered degradation through their lifestyle or through experiences with community or family.  People do not have to sign their names when coming to the pantry.  There is no application, survey, or registration to complete in order to participate in the life of community at the pantry.  Jesus Christ says He has “come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  That abundant life is for everyone.  It is the hope of Sister Barbara Joseph and her fellow-workers that all who come to the pantry experience the God-given dignity and value in being human, created in the image and likeness of God. 

 Sister BJ’s Pantry came to fruition following work with Rick Swyden, the ‘Hot Dog’ man, who started Hot Dogs for the Homeless of Oklahoma City.  Through this work, Sister Barbara Joseph was shown the needs of the people extended beyond the hunger for food.  A small building in downtown Oklahoma City was leased, and the yard behind the building full of weeds was transformed into a beautiful flowering garden where a statue of the Mother of God holding Christ serves as a reminder we are all loved.  Day one of the pantry’s opening, six people were served and half of them were sought out and brought to the pantry by Sister and two volunteers.  Today, over 600 people find their way to Sister BJ’s pantry garden every Friday and Saturday beginning at 6:30 in the morning.  They enjoy freshly brewed hot coffee, pastries, homemade cookies, and sack lunches with each bag decorated by children from the community and surrounding areas.   They are also offered company, friendship, and spiritual guidance.    There is freedom from radio, televisions, announcements, and other noises many encounter in missions, bus stations, and jail. The pantry and garden was the beginning.  Like before, personal work with the people showed Sister the needs extended beyond this initial care.

Many of the people served at the pantry have their clothing stolen or confiscated.  Some of the institutions set up to help the poor only give clothing once a month regardless of a person’s needs.  The people need clean underwear, socks, shirts, pants, shoes, coats, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, and backpacks.  Many of the people also need a place to wash their clothes.  To meet these needs, the 2400 square foot building next door to the pantry was rented, renovated, and equipped with shelving, clothing racks, a washer and dryer, air conditioning and heating to serve as a clothing room.  St. Joseph's clothing room is arranged so the patrons can choose their own clothing, the colors and styles they find comfortable.  A ramp was recently added to provide access for those in wheelchairs.  The Pope John Paul II Library was also added in another room of the same building with books from every literature genre, and there is no return policy or deadline. 

It wasn’t long before another need had to be met, ushering in ‘phase three’ of the pantry.  In the winter of 2007, some of the patrons came to the pantry with third degree burns.  They had gotten too close to the fires in their camp to avoid the freezing temperatures at night.  Some froze to death alone.   The St. Therese Emergency Vehicle is up and running and will go out during winter when the temperature is below 20 degrees.  This vehicle will go to the places where the homeless sleep out between the hours of 8:00 pm and 1:00 am.  The vehicle is equipped with thermal blankets, long johns and dry clothes, a microwave to heat hot chocolate and soup, and phones to call ambulances should a person need more care.  The St. Therese Mobile Unit will also serve our friends in the summer months when the heat becomes a burden to them.  It will offer cool lemonade and provide food to those in need.  But most of all it will provide the love and compassion that comes from all those involved in the Pantry.

Another need the pantry would like to meet is that of employment and housing.  Too many poor people are taken advantage of by others.  Landlords make promises to fix broken windows, doors, floors, and plumbing but do not keep the promises.   Many of these rent houses are infested with roaches and vermin.  It is filth and unfit, and yet the rent is high.  Some of the people struggle to gain employment due to their past record or lack of skills.  Many have had few good examples and need help in understanding who they are and how to relate to people.   Phase Five of the pantry is in the infancy stage at the pantry to provide employment to those who seek it earnestly with housing and health insurance as benefits.  Counseling and life skills would also be offered to the community.  The employment and housing would serve as “a modern Noah’s Ark able to withstand the stormy waves the world is hurling its way…  (People) can regain their breath until the time comes to stand on their own two feet again.”  (Quote from Mother Maria Skobtsova’s Essential Writings)  It is also a hope to have a small chapel where prayer and worship services can be offered. 

The initial work of the pantry’s employed community will involve training people in producing products primarily intended for the crafts and home gardening markets. These products will be constructed of wood and metals from the raw material condition to finished product with machinery and processes selected to utilize the marginally skilled person as well as those who are more capable so all can participate in the work.  Products may require out sourcing for processes such as powder coating or decorative plating and may require rudimentary packaging for storage and delivery to end users. The products would be marketed through a storefront area located at the pantry as well as through other venues such as craft fairs, farmers markets, and even retail stores and internet.   The hope is to build an atmosphere of camaraderie and self-confidence while building skills.  We are in the process of now finding such a building that will meet our needs and seeking funding for one salary for a highly competent “Christ Centered” person who will run this program.  It is estimated that with a salary and a building lease we would need $50,000 to start.  We pray that we can make a reality by 2010.

Ultimately, it is Christ Himself who is served at the pantry.  He says, “I” … ‘was hungry and thirsty, naked, sick and in prison…’  It is the Holy Spirit leading and guiding.  It is God the Father inviting us all to the life for which we were created, a communion in the life of the Holy Trinity.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Sister Barbara Joseph