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Good Samaritan House asks for public support amid SNAP benefit pause

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 9:31 GMT by KFVS12
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Good Samaritan House Calls on Community to Step Up Amid Statewide SNAP Pause

The Good Samaritan House, a downtown Tulsa nonprofit that has served the city’s homeless and food‑insecure population for over two decades, issued a public appeal on Thursday night after a statewide pause on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits left many of its clients without the means to purchase groceries. In a statement released on the organization’s website, the house’s executive director, Maria Rodriguez, highlighted the immediate urgency of the situation, noting that the pause has already caused “substantial hardship” for families who rely on the shelter’s meals and food pantry services.

The SNAP Pause and Its Ripple Effects

The pause on SNAP benefits was announced by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on October 27, citing a “temporary freeze” while the state reevaluates its eligibility criteria. According to a follow‑up article on the state’s Department of Health website, the freeze will last for 30 days and is intended to allow the state to address an “increase in fraud” and “administrative backlogs.” However, for residents who are already living at the edge of the poverty line, the interruption has immediate and severe consequences. Rodriguez explained that the shelter’s clients, many of whom are low‑income families with children, have already been “forced to skip meals or ration food at an alarming rate.”

The Good Samaritan House’s own data, compiled through its intake forms, shows that more than 70 percent of the shelter’s guests receive SNAP benefits. When the benefit pause took effect, the organization reported a 25 percent increase in the number of families reporting “inadequate food supplies” over the past week.

A Call for Immediate Assistance

In response, Good Samaritan House has launched a “Rapid Response Fund” on its website, where donors can contribute directly to a short‑term emergency food basket program. The shelter is also soliciting volunteers to help restock its pantry and distribute prepared meals. According to the website’s donation page, the organization needs an additional $15,000 to purchase fresh produce, canned goods, and non‑perishable staples for the coming month. The website lists several local businesses—such as the Tulsa Food Bank and the Tulsa Food System Alliance—that have pledged to match donations made by individuals during the 30‑day window.

The organization’s board member, Thomas Bell, who serves as the chair of Tulsa’s Food Policy Council, emphasized that this is “not a long‑term crisis but a short‑term emergency.” He added that the state’s pause has also put pressure on the city’s municipal budget for food assistance, which could further reduce funding for community programs.

Community Leaders Respond

The city council held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the implications of the SNAP pause. Mayor Brandon Bell announced that the city will allocate $30,000 from its emergency relief fund to support shelters and food banks impacted by the pause. In a statement, Mayor Bell said, “The state’s pause on SNAP benefits threatens the very stability of our most vulnerable residents. We are committed to mitigating that impact and ensuring that families do not go hungry.”

State Representative Lillian McKinney, who represents Tulsa’s 4th district, also appeared in a brief statement on the House’s website, urging residents to support local nonprofits. “We are watching the situation closely,” she said. “In the meantime, I urge all constituents to give what they can to organizations like the Good Samaritan House.”

A Broader Context

The pause is part of a larger debate over SNAP’s sustainability and administrative efficiency. A linked article from the Tulsa World highlights that the state’s benefit freeze is expected to cost the state an estimated $2.5 million in lost revenue, as eligible households temporarily become ineligible for federal food assistance. Critics argue that such a pause disproportionately hurts low‑income families, while proponents contend it is necessary to prevent fraud and reduce administrative costs.

The Good Samaritan House’s own website provides a historical overview of its services. Founded in 2002, the shelter offers 24‑hour housing, medical screenings, job training, and a monthly “Fresh Food Fridays” program, which distributes pre‑packed grocery items to families. The shelter’s food pantry operates in partnership with the Tulsa Food Bank, which has pledged to provide additional support during the freeze.

How Residents Can Help

• Monetary Donations: Visit the Good Samaritan House’s Rapid Response Fund page to donate directly to the emergency food basket program. The site accepts credit card, PayPal, and bank transfer.
• In‑Kind Donations: The shelter needs non‑perishable food items such as canned beans, rice, pasta, and dehydrated soups. Volunteering to pick up and deliver these items is also highly appreciated.
• Volunteer Time: Families can sign up to assist with pantry organization and meal prep. Contact the shelter at (405) 555‑0123 or email volunteer@good-samaritan-house.org.
• Corporate Sponsorship: Businesses are invited to contribute through matching gift programs or direct sponsorship of the Rapid Response Fund. Contact the corporate partnership office at partnership@good-samaritan-house.org.

Conclusion

The Good Samaritan House’s appeal underscores the fragility of the food‑insecurity safety net when federal and state programs are interrupted. By leveraging community resources, the shelter hopes to bridge the gap created by the SNAP pause and ensure that families in Tulsa do not suffer hunger while the state reviews its benefit system. As the state’s decision remains under scrutiny, residents are urged to act swiftly—through donations, volunteerism, and advocacy—to support the shelter’s mission of providing dignity, care, and hope to those who need it most.