About Caring Community Friends

Our Mission

Caring Community Friends provides immediate, accessible support to individuals and families in Eastern Creek County through food security programs, emergency financial assistance, youth services, and community partnerships — removing barriers and restoring dignity for all who seek help.

A community food bank van parked outdoors next to a rolling cart filled with bags of food.

What We Belive

A red, stylized line drawing of two hands clasped firmly in a shake or grip, representing unity and partnership.

We believe access to essential resources should never come with barriers or judgment. Every person deserves dignity, choice, and hope — regardless of their circumstances.

A simple line icon showing three abstract human figures grouped together above a curved horizontal line.

We believe strong communities are built when neighbors help neighbors, and that providing immediate assistance while fostering long-term resilience creates lasting change.

Our Core Values

These values guide every decision we make and every interaction we have with community members.

Accessibility

We know that when crisis strikes, waiting isn't an option. That's why we're open four days a week with same-day appointments, walk-in options through Fresh Pass, and emergency assistance processed within 1-3 business days.

Dignity

Every person who comes to us deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our staff and volunteers create welcoming, judgment-free environments where community members feel valued, not stigmatized.

Community

We're neighbors helping neighbors. Our 400+ volunteers are the heart of our work, and we intentionally build relationships rather than simply distributing resources. We believe strong communities are built through compassion.

Compassion

Poverty is complex, and our response must be too. We provide food security, emergency financial assistance, youth programs, and community resources because families often need multiple forms of support.

Stewardship

We honor donor trust by operating with financial transparency, measuring our impact, and constantly evaluating how we can serve our community more effectively. Every dollar donated is stewarded carefully to maximize community benefit.

Hope

While the work to fight poverty can seem overwhelming, we operate every day with a firm belief and hope that food security in Creek County can be a reality, as long as a community of friends continues to rally around and support their neighbors.

Our Story

Founded in 1992, Caring Community Friends has been serving Eastern Creek County for over three decades. What began as a small food pantry has grown into a comprehensive support network providing food security, emergency assistance, youth programs, and community resources to thousands of families each year.

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Leadership

A professional portrait of a smiling person with shoulder-length hair, wearing a dark blazer and necklace, arms crossed.
  • Dr. Camille Teale, Executive Director

    Dr. Camille Teale has served as the Executive Director of Caring Community Friends, since March  of 2017. Her passion for serving individuals and families has inspired a wide-range of sustainable programs and social innovations, with a focus on reducing the impact of poverty. Dr. Teale enjoys collaborating with a network of community agencies, businesses, and individuals to address complex social issues. She is active on a number of coalitions including the Creek County Community Partnership, Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance, Healthy Living Coalition, Creek County Prevention Program, Creek County Long Term Recovery Group, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Partner Advisory Council, Hunger Free Oklahoma, EFSP Local Board, Sapulpa Public Schools Key Communicators, Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce,  and the Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency Executive Director Association.

Board Of Directors

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  • Kimberly Hayes, President

    Jeanleonette Properties, LLC 


    Kimberly Hayes brings extensive leadership, governance, and risk management experience to her role as President of the Board of Directors for Caring Community Friends. A Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Kimberly has spent her career guiding organizations through operational oversight, financial accountability, and strategic planning—skills that directly support CCF’s mission and long-term sustainability.


    In addition to her professional background, Kimberly has a strong history of community service and nonprofit leadership, including serving in executive roles within local civic organizations such as Kiwanis. Her experience in organizational management, compliance, and community advocacy allows her to provide thoughtful direction, strengthen internal controls, and foster partnerships that expand CCF’s impact across Creek County.


    As Board President, Kimberly is committed to ensuring CCF operates with integrity, transparency, and compassion—supporting both immediate assistance efforts and long-term solutions for individuals and families in need.

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"It is inspiring to see how everyone—including employees, volunteers, and the board—comes together to support food security and assist [local] residents."

  • Wendy Frankenburger, Vice President

    Community Benefit Manager, Ascension St. John


    Wendy Frankenburger is a dedicated public health professional and a Certified Health Education Specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC).

    In her current role as Community Benefit Manager at Ascension St. John, Wendy serves on numerous community coalitions. Her work focuses on reducing barriers to care, addressing social determinants of health, advocacy, education, and improving overall health outcomes.

    Wendy resides in Tulsa with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, traveling, and cooking.

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  • Shelly Rentz

    Central Tech, Program Coordinator


    Shelly Rentz is the Program Coordinator for the Employment Services Department at Central Tech. With over 25 years of experience, she is deeply passionate about creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and supporting inclusive workforce development.

    Shelly currently serves on the Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) and is an active member of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (ACTE) and the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). In 2020, she was nominated and appointed by the Governor to the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. Her leadership and dedication were recognized in 2024, when she was named Workforce Development Partner of the Year. Shelly has also served as a board member of the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce and Caring Community Friends, where she held the role of Secretary.

    A lifelong resident of Sapulpa, Shelly raised her three children in the Sapulpa Public School system. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 42 years and is the proud grandmother of five amazing grandchildren.

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"I knew Caring Community Friends was a resource for our community but it was not until I began serving on the board that I fully understood the impact that CCF has on the clients they serve. Life is all about 'Building Better Lives.'"

  • Terrie Bailey

    Ardagh Glass


    I am the wife of an amazing man, mother of two wonderful children, and grandmother of one beautiful baby boy. My heart is for children and helping other feel valued and loved.

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  • Cindy McGuire

    Spend Life Wisely Ambassador, AVP - First United


     

    I am a native Sapulpa resident and love my hometown.  I have been married 33 years to Coby McGuire; we have two grown children Cole and Cassidy. I have worked for First United Bank serving the Sapulpa community in several roles over the last 34 years.  I also serve on Caring Community Friends board in the role of treasurer.  I am a Sapulpa Rotarian and serve the club as secretary.  I am a current board member of The Sapulpa Chamber, and volunteer on various chamber committees.   I volunteer on two committees under Sapulpa Main Street Program.  

  • Mikah Barker, Secretary

    CREOKS

  • Amy Pounds

    Kante Group

  • Brian Stephens


Interested in Joining the Board?

A professional portrait of a smiling person with shoulder-length hair, wearing a dark blazer and necklace, arms crossed.
  • Dr. Camille Teale, Executive Director

    Dr. Camille Teale has served as the Executive Director of Caring Community Friends, since March  of 2017. Her passion for serving individuals and families has inspired a wide-range of sustainable programs and social innovations, with a focus on reducing the impact of poverty. Dr. Teale enjoys collaborating with a network of community agencies, businesses, and individuals to address complex social issues. She is active on a number of coalitions including the Creek County Community Partnership, Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance, Healthy Living Coalition, Creek County Prevention Program, Creek County Long Term Recovery Group, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Partner Advisory Council, Hunger Free Oklahoma, EFSP Local Board, Sapulpa Public Schools Key Communicators, Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce,  and the Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency Executive Director Association.

A professional portrait of a smiling person with shoulder-length hair, wearing a dark blazer and necklace, arms crossed.
  • Dr. Camille Teale, Executive Director

    Dr. Camille Teale has served as the Executive Director of Caring Community Friends, since March  of 2017. Her passion for serving individuals and families has inspired a wide-range of sustainable programs and social innovations, with a focus on reducing the impact of poverty. Dr. Teale enjoys collaborating with a network of community agencies, businesses, and individuals to address complex social issues. She is active on a number of coalitions including the Creek County Community Partnership, Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance, Healthy Living Coalition, Creek County Prevention Program, Creek County Long Term Recovery Group, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Partner Advisory Council, Hunger Free Oklahoma, EFSP Local Board, Sapulpa Public Schools Key Communicators, Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce,  and the Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency Executive Director Association.

Our Community Partners

Tulsa Area United Way logo with a red human figure, yellow arches, and a blue hand, labeled "Sustainability Partner."

Tulsa Area United Way

Providing essential support to help us serve families & individuals

The Feeding America logo features the text "FEEDING" in orange and "AMERICA" in green, with a wheat stalk forming the "I".

Feeding America

National hunger-relief network supporting food distribution

The logo for Creek County Community Partnership, featuring the red acronym "CCCP" above the full organization name.

Creek County Community Partnership

Collaborative problem-solving for complex social issues

Logo for the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma featuring a stylized outline of Oklahoma in green and orange with leaf imagery.

Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

Primary food sourcing and distribution partnership

Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce

Businesses united for good

North Central OK Continuum of Care

Coordinating homeless services and housing stability initiatives

Sapulpa Public Schools

Supporting student nutrition and family resources

Tulsa Area United Way

Providing essential support to help us serve families & individuals

Feeding America

National hunger-relief network supporting food distribution

Creek County Community Partnership

Collaborative problem-solving for complex social issues