Every fall, as temperatures drop and spooky decorations pop up in neighborhoods, churches across Oklahoma open their doors in creative ways to welcome their communities. Hayrides, bounce houses, games, and free food draw families who might never set foot in a Sunday morning service. And behind the scenes at many of these gatherings, The Kaleo Foundation is hard at work.
Throughout October and November, Kaleo provided pallets of food and water to help churches love their neighbors well. Ministries like In the Gap, congregations in Sayre, Oilton, Farris, Elevate Church, and Tiempos de Gloria all used these resources to bless their communities during fall outreach events. And, The Gideons International also provided hundreds of miniature copies of the New Testaments for volunteers to hand out at events.
One of those partners was Chandler Assembly of God, which recently welcomed more than 250 guests onto their property for a Fall Festival. More than 40 church volunteers ran activities including a concession stand with free food, ring toss, miniature pony rides, and a petting zoo full of goats, sheep, and bunnies. The church even opened “Faith’s Clothes Closet” to attendees, making sure anyone in need could take clothing home free of charge.
Pastor Derek Mooy shared that Kaleo’s donated pallets were a major part of the celebration. Church members stacked boxes of snacks and water on the back of a church member’s flatbed truck to hand out to families. “We actually had to go back and reload the truck once – people were blessed by Kaleo’s generosity,” he said.
But the impact wasn’t limited to one November night. The goods from the pallets given to Chandler Assembly of God have also blessed two local schools, church members, a senior citizens’ center, and anyone who visits the clothes closet.
“It truly helped in creating a generous heart within the church,” Pastor Mooy shared. “And, we have heard several reports of people being so shocked we would just give it all away. We always tell them it’s because of Christ that we do what we do.”
Pastor Mooy expressed his gratitude for Kaleo, which extends beyond the nonprofit to the many people who give generously of their time and money to make Kaleo successful.
“Thanks to The Kaleo Foundation, the almost 300 people at the Fall Festival as well as so many others have been truly blessed and felt love from God.”
