A Texoma outreach is working hard to help the community. Noah's Ark Outreach provides clothes and food for those in need. Right now the outreach is struggling, but they continue to impact lives.
Pastor Judge E. Smith and the New Birth Baptist Church opened Noah's Ark Outreach seven years ago. Although they're struggling financially right now, it's not slowing them down.
"2011 was very difficult for us to try to keep our pantry filled with enough food to handle the increase," says Pastor Smith.
He began Noah's Ark Outreach years ago. It was the growing number of homeless that made him and his church members open their doors.
"There are families that are living on the street," Pastor Smith says. The number of people in need continues to grow each year. "We just live in some tough times now and so we have seen perhaps a 50% increase."
Volunteers say people with young children come to the outreach the most.
"Single parents, single mothers, single fathers," says Lynnette Galloway, a volunteer for over two years. "They come in because they have lost their jobs or have just moved here from out of town and have no place to go."
The building is small and the shelves are not always fully stocked, but it's the stories the volunteers hear that remind them the work they do is making a difference.
Pastor Smith says,"We are happy about that. We believe that we have played a great role, we have made an impact, we have made a difference and we are just going to continue to strive."
The outreach has had a rough few years dealing with their own finances in a tough economy. Still they plan to give what they can. Right now the outreach is working to open a soup kitchen to continue helping Texomans in need.
"They would know for sure that they have a friend in town and that friend is Noah's Ark," says Pastor Smith.
Noah's Ark Outreach is open Fridays from 11a.m. to 4p.m. They are located at 701 Harding St. You can reach them at (940) 264-6624.
Friday, May 25 2012 6:51 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:51:04 GMT
Beautiful Weather Continues!Under clear skies and light winds, temperatures will bottom out near 50 degrees around sunrise Sunday morning. Then, with lots of sunshine, we'll warm to around 70 degrees by
Isolated storms are possible tonight in our western towns. Overnight lows around 70. Tomorrow we warm back up into the mid 90s.
Friday, May 25 2012 12:28 AM EDT2012-05-25 04:28:40 GMT
One woman was taken to United Regional Hospital Tuesday evening after firefighters used the jaws of life to free her from a wrecked vehicle. Emergency crews were called to the scene just after 7:30 where
One woman was taken to United Regional Hospital after firefighters used the jaws of life to free her from a wrecked vehicle.
Thursday, May 24 2012 11:09 PM EDT2012-05-25 03:09:32 GMT
Students attending Zundy Junior High School this fall will find a new face at the helm. Omar Montemayor is leaving his current position as principal of Sam Houston Elementary, to take the principal position
Students attending Zundy Junior High School this fall will find a new face at the helm. Omar Montemayor is leaving his current position as principal of Sam Houston Elementary.
Friday, May 25 2012 10:41 PM EDT2012-05-26 02:41:15 GMT
It's been a long journey, but today Byers ISD closes its doors. The school will consolidate with Petrolia ISD for the next school year. Today teachers and staff packed up their classrooms and emptying
It's been a long journey, but Friday Byers ISD closed its doors. The school will consolidate with Petrolia ISD for the next school year.
Friday, May 25 2012 6:45 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:45:23 GMT
This weekend on Inside Texoma, Ashley Fitzwater takes a look at the Main Street Electra Program. We spoke with the programs director who told us downtown Electra is open for business. Jannis Hayers is
This weekend on Inside Texoma, Ashley Fitzwater takes a look at the Main Street Electra Program. We spoke with the programs director who told us downtown Electra is open for business.
Friday, May 25 2012 9:37 AM EDT2012-05-25 13:37:07 GMT
NEW YORK (AP) - New York City police say they have a signed confession in a decades-old missing children's movement. A former convenience store clerk is said to have confessed to luring 6-year-old Etan
NEW YORK (AP) - New York City police say they have a signed confession in a decades-old missing children's movement.
Friday, May 25 2012 9:37 AM EDT2012-05-25 13:37:07 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate has rejected Democratic and Republican plans for averting a doubling of interest rates on federal college loans for 7.4 million students. The election-season standoff means
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate has rejected Democratic and Republican plans for averting a doubling of interest rates on federal college loans for 7.4 million students.
Friday, May 25 2012 9:37 AM EDT2012-05-25 13:37:07 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is acknowledging a deal to cut the state's income tax won't be reached before lawmakers adjourn on Friday and that she won't call them back into a special
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is acknowledging a deal to cut the state's income tax won't be reached before lawmakers adjourn on Friday and that she won't call them back into a special session to address the issue.
Friday, May 25 2012 9:37 AM EDT2012-05-25 13:37:07 GMT
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The story line on the Republican Senate race in Texas is a now familiar one: A veteran politician supported by the GOP establishment is challenged by a young insurgent backed by national
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The story line on the Republican Senate race in Texas is a now familiar one: A veteran politician supported by the GOP establishment is challenged by a young insurgent backed by national conservative groups.
Friday, May 25 2012 8:20 AM EDT2012-05-25 12:20:30 GMT
Wichita Falls Police are investigating an accident involving a pedestrian.It happened Friday morning around 3:30 on the 3300 block of Kell Blvd.At one point police had the street blocked from Wenonah Blvd.
Wichita Falls Police are investigating a deadly accident involving a man.
