TULSA, Okla. — As the federal government shutdown threatens to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps) benefits starting Nov. 1, 2025, millions of families across the country are bracing for hardship just before the holiday season. In North Tulsa, where access to nutritious food is already scarce, Oasis Fresh Market is rising to meet the moment.
Founded by AJ Johnson, Oasis Fresh Market is a full-service grocery store located in one of Oklahoma’s most underserved food deserts. Through community-centered programs and daily acts of generosity, Oasis is redefining what it means to serve with purpose and pride.
“We refuse to let our community go hungry,” said AJ Johnson, owner of Oasis Fresh Market. “When government systems fail, communities have to rise together.”
Feeding Families When the System Fails
While many national chains brace for financial losses, Oasis is doubling down—keeping shelves stocked, staff employed, and spirits lifted. The store is preparing for the impact of halted SNAP benefits and the surge of need that will follow.
“This store was built for moments like this,” Johnson released in a statement. “To be a refuge, a source of hope, and a reminder that people still care.”
In North Tulsa, decades of systemic disinvestment have made nutritious, affordable food hard to come by. For many, SNAP isn’t just a benefit—it’s a lifeline. Losing it could mean going without meals.
A Crisis of Food and Dignity
The USDA warns that if the shutdown extends past October, SNAP benefits could cease altogether. Thousands of Oklahoma families, including many in North Tulsa, may be left without the support they rely on to survive.
With food prices still high due to inflation, families are already struggling. This looming shutdown forces impossible decisions: pay the rent or buy groceries? Fill a prescription or feed the kids?
“We see mothers counting pennies, fathers skipping meals, and grandparents choosing between medication and groceries,” Johnson added. “This isn’t charity, it’s compassion in action.”
United for Impact: The Oasis Projects Joins the Fight
In response, Oasis Fresh Market is teaming up with its nonprofit partner, The Oasis Projects, a 501(c)(3) organization, to launch a fourth-quarter relief effort: the “What Would You Do?” campaign.
The campaign challenges people to imagine a mother at the register discovering her EBT card no longer works.
“What would you do? Would you look away, or would you help?”
Funds raised support emergency food boxes, grocery giveaways, utility costs to keep the store operating, and security for families who shop there.
Take Action: How You Can Help Today
The Oasis Projects is urging community members, churches, businesses, and civic leaders to stand in solidarity during this crisis. You can help by:
- Donating at www.theoasisprojects.org or PushPay
- Sharing the campaign across your social networks
- Volunteering to deliver groceries or help with food distribution
More Than a Market, A Movement
Oasis Fresh Market is not just a grocery store. It’s a movement for equity, dignity, and survival. In a city that has historically failed to serve its Black communities, Oasis is proof that healing and nourishment can grow from the inside out.
“We’ve seen what happens when a community comes together,” Johnson said. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about people. North Tulsa deserves better, and Oasis will keep fighting for them—one meal, one family, one day at a time.”
