DHS-administered program helps older Oklahoma couple following house fire

Oklahoma City --A tragic house fire in the northern Oklahoma town of Blackwell took everything an older couple had worked for their entire lives.  But thanks in part to the staff and participants of the Senior Nutrition Program administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS), the couple was able to find a new place to live in less than 24 hours.

“George and Donna McCoy were actually at our site having lunch when the call came in that their house was on fire,” said Kathleen Willis, Project Director for Wheatheart Nutrition Project.  “Our staff accompanied them to their house where they watched helplessly as their home was destroyed.  Immediately everyone came together—our nutrition site staff, other congregates as well.  Donations began pouring in and in 24 hours we had collected enough funds to rent the McCoy’s a new apartment. 

“We saw an outpouring of love from everyone in the Blackwell community, and the donations are continuing,” Willis said. “It is simply amazing to see what happened.  It was a true miracle in the midst of a tragedy.”

While the Senior Nutrition Program is typically a way to help feed older Oklahomans who may be hungry, in this instance the staff and other participants at the Wheatheart Nutrition site went above and beyond, according to Lance Robertson, DHS Aging Services Director.

 “What these folks did was amazing,” Robertson said.  “They collected more than $1,300 in just a short amount of time, and helped the couple find an apartment.  They had money for a deposit and the entire first month’s rent.

“They talked to the local utility company, and the company waived a past-due bill,” Robertson added.  “While our primary mission with the Senior Nutrition Program is to help feed people, the compassion of this group and this entire community exemplifies the true spirit of Thanksgiving and the holidays.”

The Senior Nutrition Program serves more than three million meals a year at sites throughout Oklahoma.  It is open at no cost to seniors 60 years of age and older.  To locate a Senior Nutrition Program in your area, contact the Senior Information Line at 1-800-211-2116.

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