At eight years old, I learned a lesson that would shape the person who I am today: to serve others like Jesus would have.
My parents would drive my two siblings and I around downtown Oklahoma City to pass out meals or other necessities to the homeless once a month. I can recall the many times I saw the same look in the people’s eyes: a feeling of hope and comfort in knowing that someone cared for them. There were times when I noticed their smile as they ate or when they simply heard the words “God bless you.” Through the years leading up to the eighth grade, my family was on the lookout for those in need, especially those who were not able to walk or those who had young children.
During the first three years of high school, I could not find the time to pass out food to the homeless as much, and as the years progressed, I became busier with academics, high school swimming and work. Whenever I found the opportunity to help the homeless, my family would only pass out meals in the OKC metro area and near the Homeless Alliance. However, this would change June 25.
On that day, me and two of my friends, Jack Powell, a freshman at Rockhurst University, and Tristan Shao, a 2025 McGuinness graduate who is now a freshman at Oklahoma State University, were passing out food to the homeless after a bible study session. After passing out the meals, Jack suggested starting an Instagram that brought people together to feed the homeless. We drove back to my house, and began brainstorming names for the organization. We thought hard, and I thought of the name Hearts & Hunger since our main objective was to feed the homeless and to pray for them. What we did not know is how much the organization would grow.
As of today, we have passed out 1,020 meals and recently had the biggest showing at a Hearts & Hunger session. We officially got our first monthly donor, became a ministry under the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and we are talking to KiZE Concepts about the opportunity to move into their warehouse, which is located adjacent to the Homeless Alliance. We created a great executive team, and through Hearts & Hunger, I have met many heartwarming people I did not think I would meet. Hearts & Hunger has shaped how I view the people around me and what life really means. Hearts & Hunger gave me bigger goals to achieve and without it, my faith would come to a standstill and I would not be the person that I am today.
You can find out more at Hearts & Hunger or on our Instagram.
