Born out of a sermon at First Christian Church, Ponca City in 1989, Friendship Feast has spent 36 years living out Christ’s call to “feed the hungry.” What began with eight guests and a simple meal of noodles and turkey has grown into a ministry serving more than 22,000 meals each year. Today, four evenings a week, anyone in need is welcomed into the Fellowship Hall for hot food, fellowship, and dignity — no qualifications required.
The Feast’s mission is clear: to feed hungry people while honoring the dignity of life. Volunteers from churches, civic groups, and businesses prepare and serve meals, often adding clothing, books, or hygiene items donated by caring neighbors. Guests find not only nourishment but also friendship, prayer, and encouragement — a reminder that they are loved and never alone.
Beyond meals, Friendship Feast serves as a hub of community care. Board members host each evening, sharing announcements, celebrating milestones, and inviting prayer requests. Children are welcomed with stories and playtime, while adults connect with neighbors and learn about other local services. In this way, the Feast provides not only food but also fellowship, resources, and a living example of Christ’s command to “love one another.”
The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation is honored to provide annual grant support that helps sustain this vital ministry. Yet Friendship Feast relies on the generosity of many to keep its pantry stocked, its kitchen staffed, and its mission alive. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we invite you to extend your gratitude by supporting the Foundation through unrestricted gifts to our grants program or by contributing to the Grants Endowment to ensure long-term grant support for programs across Oklahoma.
Your gift ensures that ministries like Friendship Feast continue to serve with compassion and dignity, multiplying the spirit of Thanksgiving throughout the year. Together, we can keep the tables full and the fellowship strong.