Just Folks
Harold Powell of Sallisaw said he was raised in the ministry by his father which later led to his involvement and commitment to a citywide ministry in Sallisaw serving free meals to anyone who is hungry.
Harold Powell
Harold Powell of Sallisaw said he was raised in the ministry by his father which later led to his involvement and commitment to a citywide ministry in Sallisaw serving free meals to anyone who is hungry.
Powell serves as the director of the Soup and Souls program which provides meals on Friday evenings at “The Shed” located on Main (Cherokee Street) in Sallisaw.
“It’ s a faith-based ministry because we not only feed the people, mostly those enrolled in Drug Court, but we also feed anyone, whoever is hungry,” Powell said. “We all meet one evening a week and the people who come to eat a meal are provided a few words of encouragement and then we feed them. On most nights we have up to 180 people,” he said.
Powell, who began serving as the director about three years ago, has been volunteering for the program for the past five years. He gives his wife, Anita, most of the credit for getting him involved in the program because she began helping at first and invited him to join the effort.
“It’s something I really enjoy doing. The first time I went to help, my heart just broke seeing all the people especially the kids who come to Soup and Souls. My heart just went out to them and it developed a passion in me to do more. Dad was a minister so a part of it also came from being a pastor’s son. I’ve been involved ever since,” he said.
“We invite anyone who may be hungry to come out and join us,” he said.
In addition to Soup and Souls, Powell takes a group of volunteers, some from Drug Court, to Tulsa to help bag food and other items to be given away to those homeless and in need in several communities, including Sallisaw. Also during the COVID-19 pandemic, he assisted with distributing food boxes for the community from the First Assembly of God Church in Sallisaw where he attends.
He said the program also recently sponsored an after party for all the Drug Court graduates and provided a Christmas party for the participants.
Powell, who owns Simple Simon’s Pizza restaurant in Sallisaw, moved to the area in 1970 from Piedmont, Okla. Prior to opening his pizza business, Powell worked as an engineering consultant for oil and gas companies in North and South Dakota, Colorado, Mexico and Arkansas.
He also operates a second Simple Simon’s in Warner. He and his wife have two grown children, Landon and Alisha, and one grandson, Remington, who is six years old.
“I’m glad I came to Sallisaw. It’s a great place to live,” he said.
“I think the best part about it is the landscape here. We love the hills, creeks and rivers. Sequoyah County has a lot of water.
“My dad’s family lived in Tahlequah. I attended grade school in McAlester and high school in Elk City. I feel like I’ve lived all over the U.S. but Sequoyah County is the best,” he said, smiling.
Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.
