A local mission is getting kids ready for school. John 3:16 Mission is helping Tulsa kids have uniforms to start the first day. Since now all students will be in uniforms.This is the second year these families have been able to get uniform pants for their kids.
"They needed uniforms and we couldn't really afford you know to buy all three of them uniforms. So, we came out here and it helps a lot you know budget wise," says parent, Melinda Martin.
Martin came with her kids because a neighbor told her about this program but even the volunteers helping say this year was different.
"We know this year when we went out to buy all the supplies to give away, it has cost us more money than ever before," says Rev. Steve Whitaker, President of John 3:16 Mission.
Even the mission had a hard time finding the right pants they needed.
"We thought that when they said uniforms that everyone would wear the same kind of clothes but different schools have different colored pants and they have different colored tops. So, that has been a challenge as well," says Whitaker.
This year the biggest need has come through the door in the 25 years this mission has been helping. That fact, causes a little more stress on the volunteers.
"As we see the cost of food and clothing continue to go up, it's a double duty for us and more burdensome," says Whitaker.
Parents shopping for their kids are glad it was so easy to get in the door.
"Everywhere else, you have to have birth certificates and socials and all sorts of stuff. Up here it was just super easy," says Martin.
The mission doesn't get federal or state funding. All of the items come from donations and volunteers say people are just struggling around here.
"People are working harder. Lots of people have two jobs to make ends meet. Some people have three jobs. Some people can't get a job. It's jut tough for people and because of that the numbers continue to grow," says Whitaker.
You can still contact John 3:16 Mission at 918-587-1186 if you need assistance.
