Sr. BJ's Pantry helps homeless

Members of the Oklahoma City region of the Order of Malta distributed nearly 200 specially designed coats to the needy as part of its mission to serve the poor and sick.

The coats were distributed at Sister BJ’s Pantry in downtown Oklahoma City, where members of the Order of Malta cook and serve breakfast each Sunday morning.

The order’s Coats for the Homeless program began in Australia. The Oklahoma City region brought the program here in 2019, when members and candidates began fundraising. The first shipment of 3,360 coats arrived earlier this year and were shared with regions across the country.

The coats are designed specifically for the homeless. They’re one-size-fits-all, waterproof and hooded, and have an abundance of pockets that all close with Velcro instead of zippers to better serve those who may have bad tactile response.

“These coats will be an additional way for our friends to stay warm during the cold months ahead,” said Sister Barbara Joseph, founder of Sister BJ’s Pantry. “The fact that they can layer underneath this coat is a definite plus. We plan on taking our mobile bus out in the months ahead and distribute more coats.”

The Order of Malta dates to 1048 and counts more than 13,000 members worldwide. It was created by Blessed Gerard to serve Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. In addition to serving the poor and sick, the order focuses on defending the Catholic faith. For more informatio about the local Order of Malta, visit Order of Malta – Oklahoma City on Facebook.


Sr. BJ’s Pantry hosted Homeless Friends Day Nov. 13 in Oklahoma City. People were offered jeans, socks, dog food, cat food, hygiene kits and the COVID-19 vaccine. Photos Chris Porter.