Tulakes Food Center

Who Can Visit?

Tulakes Food Center serves the Tulakes area of Oklahoma City and is open to everyone who needs food. One reviewer noted that "they help everyone," and the pantry is open every Wednesday, unlike many food pantries that are open just once a month.

Good to Know

The pantry is open every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm. Most canned goods are in date, and produce is fresh. One reviewer mentioned that some items like chocolate milk may be frozen to extend freshness, so just plan for that. The center partners with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, so what's available each week depends on what the food bank provides.

Food & Essentials

The Food Center distributes groceries including fresh produce, canned goods, and dairy items like chocolate milk. As a partner of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the selection varies week to week based on what the food bank supplies.

How to Pick Up

Tulakes Food Center operates as a self-serve food experience — clients shop for their own items using a given shopping list with the help of volunteer Shopper Helpers. If you prefer not to shop yourself, volunteers can pre-box groceries for you. When you arrive, you'll sign in at reception, complete a brief intake on the computer, and then shop in the order you signed in. Volunteers are also available to help carry groceries to your car.

Additional Support

The pantry offers a free clinic on-site through the Tulakes Clinic, available separately at tulakesclinic.org.

One reviewer shared that staff even gave her a ride home when she couldn't carry everything herself, showing the warmth of the volunteer team.

Ways to Give

You can support Tulakes Food Center through financial donations or items from the Amazon Wish List. To give money, you can donate anonymously online or as a known ministry partner so the team can thank you and share updates.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are a big part of what makes the Food Center run. There are shifts on Mondays (9:00–10:30am, unloading and stocking) and Wednesdays (three shifts: 9:25am–12:00pm, 11:45am–2:15pm, and 5:10pm–6:45pm). Roles include reception, intake, shopper helper, bagger, runner, and pre-box.

To get started:

1. Complete an application and background check and return it to knantze@bethanynaz.org
2. Read the PowerPoint orientation, food safety, and civil rights training
3. Complete Safe Kids certification (a video link is sent after the background check)
4. Download GroupMe or join the mailing list to receive weekly SignUp Genius links
5. Sign up for a shift and receive your Tulakes swag

You can start your application at the volunteer application form.