Other Options, Inc. Friends Food Pantry

06/03/2026

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Members of Our 2SLGBTQ+ Community, 🌈

As we begin Pride Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on the strength, resilience, and compassion that define both our HIV pantry and the 2SLGBTQ+ community we proudly serve. I also want to personally reflect on the struggles, triumphs and emotions that have come with this journey.

I was 22 in 1992, my senior year in college, and watching MTV The Real World like every young person was. When they introduced Pedro Zamora, we were all shocked, but in the best way possible! Who was this guy? He’s gay and has HIV and talking about it? My young, still closeted, le***an heart felt seen and my friends with HIV felt seen. We watched Pedro fall in love! We watched him teach an entire generation about HIV and reduce stigma in a way that no one else had ever done! And then, we watched him get sick… And then, we lost Pedro.

I’ve never cried while writing a newsletter but remembering him and his life really hit me hard. He was my age; an HIV Educator and he was gay. He was a trailblazer and did it with such little amount of time he had on this earth. And, I will forever remember Pedro’s life and the influence he had on my generation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Pedro.

In remembering those like Pedro, remember that Pride Month is a celebration of progress, visibility, and love, but it is also a reminder of the ongoing challenges many people still face. So please join me in honoring the advocates, activists, and community leaders who fought for the rights and healthcare access that many of us benefit from today. Find your Pedro and thank them for their courage for paving the way for organizations like ours. We also recognize that the work is not finished. Together, we must continue building a community where every person feels safe, valued, and supported.

On behalf of our entire organization, we thank you for being a part of this mission. During Pride Month and throughout the year, we celebrate the diversity, resilience, and spirit of all communities. We believe everyone deserves to be seen, respected and celebrated! So, let your rainbow shine!

With gratitude and Pride, ❤️

Kris Williams
Executive Director
Other Options Inc.

Our mission is focused on non-discriminating, compassionate care to those in need.
The purpose of Other Options, Inc. is to provide food, resources, services, and education to at-risk individuals and families with a focus on those affected HIV & AIDS.

06/03/2026

🩵💙🩵 A Little Rock. A Big Reminder. 🩵💙🩵

Yesterday, some of our staff discovered this beautiful painted rock sitting outside the pantry.

It simply says: “Keep going. It’ll be worth it.”

We have no idea who painted it. We have no idea who left it. But what we do know is that it brought a smile to our faces and reminded us how powerful small acts of kindness can be.

At Other Options, Inc., we have the privilege of serving an incredible community of people affected by HIV. Many of our clients face challenges that most people never see, and sometimes a few encouraging words can mean more than we realize.

Whether this rock was left intentionally for us, for one of our clients, or for anyone who happened to pass by, its message couldn’t be more fitting. Every day we watch people keep going through hardships, setbacks, treatments, uncertainty, and life itself. And every day we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and hope that exists within our community.

So, to the mystery artist who painted this rock and the mystery person who left it behind: thank you. Your simple act of kindness brightened our day and reminded us why hope matters. 💙

And to anyone reading this today:

✨ Keep going.
✨ Keep fighting.
✨ Keep believing in yourself.

It’ll be worth it.

💙 🩵

05/22/2026

🇺🇸 Friendly reminder that the pantry will be closed Monday May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

We will reopen for normal pantry hours after the holiday. 🫶

05/19/2026

When we say it takes a community, this is exactly what we mean. ❤️

Over the last couple of weeks, our Pantry went through a transformation that was only possible because of people who showed up, worked hard, lifted heavy things, gave their time, and poured love into this place every single day. 🫶✨

Before these beautiful new floors could even be installed, everything in the pantry had to be taken apart, packed away, carried out, moved, reorganized, and cleared. Shelves, supplies, furniture, food, equipment… all of it. 📦🛒🧹

It was exhausting work. It was dusty work. It was a LOT of heavy lifting. 💪 But person after person showed up ready to help because they believe in what this pantry stands for. ❤️

We want to give a huge and heartfelt thank you to Red Dirt dog park and Pups United Project - PUP for stepping in and helping us disassemble and clear out the pantry so this project could even begin. 🐾❤️ Your support meant more than we can properly put into words. Watching people come together for this mission reminded us exactly why community care matters so much. 🤝✨

We also want to give a massive thank you to Blue Shield Floor Coatings LLC for the absolutely breathtaking job they did on our floors. 🖤✨
The transformation is incredible. The pantry looks brighter, cleaner, safer, and more welcoming than ever before. 🧼✨

And absolutely none of this would have been possible without the support and funds the Oklahoma State Department of Health sent our way. So, from our hearts and the hearts of all of our clients and volunteers…. Thank you. ❤️‍🔥

To every volunteer who came in to pack boxes, move shelves, carry supplies, reorganize rooms, clean, sort, and help put everything back together… thank you. Truly. 🫶📦✨ Projects like this do not happen without people willing to give their time and energy for something bigger than themselves. ❤️

These floors are not just beautiful, they are going to help us maintain a more hygienic and functional space for our clients for years to come. ❤️

Every inch of this pantry was touched by kindness, teamwork, sweat, and love during this process. 🤍

Our clients deserve a space that feels cared for. A space that feels safe. A space that feels dignified and welcoming the moment they walk through the doors. 🏡❤️ Seeing this transformation finally complete is emotional for all of us because it represents growth, hope, and a community that continues to show up for people living with HIV/AIDS and those in need. ✨

And this is only the beginning. 🖤✨

There are still more upgrades, improvements, enhancements, and exciting changes to come as we continue working toward creating the absolute best environment possible for our clients and community. 🔨❤️ We are committed to growing, improving, and evolving because the people we serve deserve nothing less. 🌟

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us continue building The Path with Heart. 😭🥹🥲

05/19/2026

✨ WE’RE BACK ✨

The floors are finished and we are SO excited to welcome our clients back home tomorrow for normal pantry shopping hours from 1 PM – 3 PM! ❤️

So much hard work, love, and care has gone into these upgrades because our clients deserve a pantry that feels safe, clean, hygienic, welcoming, and truly built for them. Every improvement we make is about creating a space where people feel cared for, respected, and supported the moment they walk through our doors.

We cannot wait for everyone to see the new floors and we’re even more excited to see all of YOU tomorrow. 🖤

You'll always find us on....
The Path with Heart. 💖

05/05/2026

🚨 REMINDER 🚨

The Pantry will be closed May 7th through May 19th while we get brand new flooring installed (yes… we’re finally doing the thing 🙌).

We are so excited to make this space cleaner, safer, and even more welcoming... because you deserve a place that feels good to walk into 💖

🚨 IMPORTANT:

Tomorrow is the LAST day to shop before we close.

If you need groceries, please come see us before we shut the doors for renovations! 🚧

We’ll be back and ready to serve you again starting May 20th refreshed, renewed, and better than ever.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and for being part of our Pantry family.

The Path with Heart always leads back to you. ❤️

05/01/2026

🚧✨ Pantry Update: We’re Leveling Up ✨🚧

We’re hitting pause for a minute to take care of something long overdue. 🤌🏽

The Pantry will be closed May 7th through May 19th while we get brand new flooring installed. 🤩

👉 May 6th will be the last day to come shop before we close
👉 We’ll be back open for shopping on May 20th

This is something we’ve needed for a long time, and we are so excited to finally make it happen. ♥️

A huge shoutout to Blue Shield Floor Coatings LLC for partnering with us and helping bring this upgrade to life. We appreciate you being part of this transformation! 🙌

When we reopen, our goal is simple:
We want every single person who walks through our doors to feel like they are stepping into a space that is clean, welcoming, dignified, and built with them in mind.

Because our clients deserve more than just services…
they deserve an environment that feels safe, cared for, and 100% theirs. ♥️

Thank you for your patience while we make the Pantry even better.
We can’t wait to welcome you back into a refreshed space. 🖤

The Path with Heart… just got a little stronger under your feet. 👣✨

04/16/2026

💙 Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. 💙

A bar of soap. A toothbrush. Clean clothes. Shampoo. Toothpaste. These are everyday items many people take for granted but for someone living with HIV, they can be powerful tools for staying healthy, feeling confident, and preventing illness. ♥️

When your immune system is compromised, basic hygiene can matter even more. Clean hands can help stop germs from spreading. Good oral care can help prevent painful infections. Clean skin and clothing can lower irritation and reduce health risks. ♥️

Why this matters:
✨ More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV. (HIV.gov)
✨ Nearly 9 out of 10 people receiving care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program are virally suppressed, meaning treatment and support services are helping people live healthier lives.
✨ Small acts of care can create real health outcomes.

We are truly honored to offer hygiene products to our clients through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. It is more than soap and shampoo… it is dignity, compassion, and a reminder that our community deserves to be cared for. 🧼🪥🧴

🫧 Program Enrollment Reminder 🫧
To receive services, paperwork must be completed in person by the client. No substitutes, including power of attorney, friends, family members, or send-a-rides.

04/11/2026

💙 A Gentle Reminder from Other Options, Inc. Friends Food Pantry 💙

Our mission has always been to serve our community with compassion, dignity, and care. To help us continue doing that in the best way possible, we want to gently clarify that we are a food pantry and do not provide direct home delivery services through the pantry itself.

Home deliveries are available through case management services and are arranged by your assigned case manager. This has been the established process for many years, helping ensure each client receives the support and coordination they need.

If delivery assistance is something you need, please connect with your case manager, who can help guide you through that process.

Thank you for your understanding, your trust, and for allowing us to walk beside you on The Path with Heart. ❤️

04/10/2026

Today is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.

Young people are still one of the groups most impacted by HIV — not because they don’t care, but because they’re not always given the tools, education, or safe spaces to take control of their health.

That’s what today is really about.

– Making testing normal
– Talking about prevention (like PrEP)
– Ending stigma before it starts
– Connecting people to care that actually feels safe

At Diversity Family Health, this is the work we do every day.
You deserve to know your status and feel good about your care.