he Tahlequah community is filled with people ready to help their neighbors in need . Many of the area ’ s nonprofit organizations are run by volunteers who are prepared to help those in need of shelter , food , protection from violence , or other aid . Area schools partner with social services to ensure students ’ needs are met , even sending backpacks of food home with children who need them . The county also has various entities that serve hot meals throughout the week , and folks who need a place to sleep at night are not left out in the cold , as the area has a few shelters for people down on their luck .

Alcoholics Anonymous

Several groups in the area meet throughout the week .

Eastside AA , behind Braum ’ s on 812 Ward St ., meets every day . Monday through Saturday , meetings are held once at noon and once at 8 p . m . On Sundays , the AA meetings start at 11 a . m . and 7 p . m .

Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter Five meets on Mondays , Wednesdays , and Saturdays , at 6:30 p . m ., at 116 E . Keetoowah St .

Tahlequah Northside AA meets Mondays and Fridays at 7 p . m ., at 412 W . Seneca St .

The group meets at the Unitarian Church at 104 N . College Ave . on Tuesdays and Thursday at 6:15 p . m .

Let ’ s Face It Al-Anon Group meets Tuesdays at noon , and Thursday at 6 p . m .; 1104 W . Keetoowah St .

The Hulbert AA meetings are Thursday at 7 p . m ., at East Sixth and Birch Street .

CARE Food Pantry

The CARE Food Pantry offers sack lunches during the lunch hour and non-perishable

food items for families . The Pantry is open Monday , Wednesday , and Friday , from 10 a . m . to 1 p . m . It is staffed entirely by volunteers at 315 N . Oak St . For more information , call 918-458-5338 .

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Inc .

Financial difficulty can strike at any time , but people in need of assistance can contact the nonprofit law firm for free or low-cost services to eligible low-income people , and senior citizens . The Tahlequah Office , at 224 S . Muskogee Ave ., serves Cherokee , Craig , Delaware , and Sequoyah counties . Call 918- 708-1150 for more information .

Feed My Sheep

The Tahlequah United Methodist Church hosts the all-volunteer organization Feed My Sheep , which provides nutritious meals for the hungry every Thursday , from 5 to 6 p . m . The meal program is a collaboration of local organizations , including UMC , St . Basil ’ s Episcopal Church , First Presbyterian Church , St . Brigid Catholic Church , First Christian Church , First Baptist Church , and Unitarian Universalists Congregation of Tahlequah . The building is at 301 W . Delaware St . For more information , call UMS at 918-456-6141 .

Help In Crisis

Providing safety and assistance to victims of violence and abuse , sexual assault , and date rape , Help In Crisis has been offering its services for years . It also provides community education , advocacy , prevention education and counseling . It has a women ’ s shelter that can house up to 30 women and their children at a time . Women

can receive emergency help or someone to listen , by calling the hotline at 800-300-4321 . Referrals are made by law enforcement , Department of Human Services , Cherokee Nation or United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Child Welfare . A hotline is available at 918-456-4357 .

Hope House

Working to provide shelter for the homeless by providing case management and assistance in finding employment and permanent housing , Hope House of Cherokee County has been serving inneed families since it was established in 1989 . Hope House takes in women and children who need help . Criminal background checks are required , and those who stay are required to look for employment during the day , which Hope House assists with . Help in Crisis , the Department of Human Services , the Cherokee Nation , and area churches often make referrals to Hope House , where they can be evaluated to determine if they meet the qualifications for assistance . Call 918-456-4673 .

Tahlequah Men ’ s Shelter

The Tahlequah Men ’ s Shelter has a mission to provide a safe haven for the homeless men of Tahlequah and Cherokee

County , while ending chronic ineffective life skills and homeless conditions . The staff at the shelter help men find services they qualify for , including housing and education . The shelter is at 118 W . Keetoowah St . Call 918-708- 9474 .

Zöe Institute

This organization strives to improve the quality of life for individuals . The nonprofit offers assistance to those in need of temporary relief and helps with discovering longterm solutions . Through education , life skills training , and humanitarian efforts , the Institute helps people who need it most . It is at 309 S . Muskogee Ave . Call 918-453-9778 .

Tahlequah Day Center

The Zöe Institute partnered with the Tahlequah Area Coalition for the Homeless to establish the Tahlequah Day Center , which provides services for individuals who are at risk of , or are experiencing , homelessness . It offers public restrooms , showers , food , warmth and assistance in finding employment . The Center is behind 309 S . Muskogee Ave . For more information , call 918-453-9778 .

PAGE 22 COMPILED BY GRANT CRAWFORD