Breakfast on Boulevard Feeds Thousands and Making a Difference

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For two decades, it's been the mission of one metro group to feed all who are hungry and their efforts are really making a difference.

It takes 100 volunteers each month to run the Breakfast on Boulevard. Each year 23,000 meals are served, and the program hasn't stopped growing. Volunteers said this week has been the program's busiest in history.

Before the sun rises people in Edmond know they can get a free Breakfast on Boulevard, no questions asked.

"Just come in here and rest and kinda get pumped up for the day, you might say," said Jarrold Stephens, who eats at Breakfast on Boulevard.

Stephens has been eating his first meal of the day with Breakfast on Boulevard since 1995, but it's more than just the warm meal that keeps him coming back.

"I like the fellowship. I like to talk with people, the ones that come in," Stephens said.

The man known around town as Bicycle Bob spent time in the church's basement too on some mornings.

"He'd just come in get his food, didn't say a whole lot," said Mickey Stufflebean, Breakfast on Bloulevard moderator.

But his friendly presence had an impact, as it did with many around the community. More than $2,000 in extra donated money for his funeral will go toward Breakfast's on Boulevard's fund for food.

”I think it's a blessing. They reach out to the community, and those who don't have the finances, the resources to get the help that they need," said Aimee Maldonado, with My Brother's Keeper of Oklahoma.

Each warm meal served is making a difference, but the most value lies in the people.

"It's really generous of them. Every morning they get up early and come and cook breakfast for all of us," said Jade Logan, who eats at Breakfast on Boulevard.

It takes more than $42,000 to run Breakfast on Boulevard each year. All the funding comes from donations.