I was introduced to Feeding the pets of Tulsa’s homeless by a friend on Facebook, who invited me to a fundraiser that she organizes to help this organization. I pretty quickly realized that, even though the organization has been actively helping homeless and their pets in Tulsa for more than 2 years and even if they give away every week hundreds of pounds of dog and cat food, high visibility leashes, winter coats and sometimes providing vaccinations and medical check ups, they need more help!
I met with Jeff Brown which is the founder and coordinator of this organization and he liked the idea of trying to take portraits of homeless with their animals. He told me stories about some of them and encouraged me to come to one of the distributing points in Tulsa which is organized by another great organization: Night Light Tulsa. So I did that and what I saw was pretty amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. I saw what looked to me like hundred volunteers or probably more, spending time with strangers and helping them in many ways. There was food, clothing and other basic necessities but also compassion and generosity and humbleness. I didn’t expect to see so many people helping but I also didn’t expect to see so many people in need. Entire families sometimes and way too many kids. And of course lots of pets.
My hope is that will help as many people as possible to realize a not very publicized reality and that there are many ways we can help.
