Media release
(STILLWATER, Okla., Jan. 20, 2026) – Mission of Hope will be conducting its Point in Time count, a federally mandated annual census of people experiencing homelessness, throughout Payne County this Thursday, Jan. 22. The count includes people who are unsheltered, whether they are sleeping outside or in vehicles, along with those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing. It is a snapshot of the people who are experiencing homelessness in a specific area on a single day and includes a survey that allows them to share their specific needs.
Volunteers will be visiting areas in Stillwater and Cushing that are frequented by people who lack consistent, reliable shelter to get the most accurate counts possible. Getting a true picture of the number of individuals and families who lack secure housing helps identify services and facilities needed and determines funding and resources from local, state and federal agencies. It guides policy decisions and helps make programs that
address homelessness more effective.
To encourage people without secure housing to stand up and be counted, Mission of Hope and Cardinal’s Love for the Homeless are working together to provide a free hot lunch from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan Street, Stillwater. Volunteers will be there to help capture Point in Time data. All are welcome.
Mission of Hope is asking for the community’s assistance to ensure people who need help aren’t missed during the Point in Time count. Anyone with suggestions for places unsheltered people might be found is asked to share that information. A link to the community input form can be found on the Mission of Hope Facebook page.
With community support, Mission of Hope can ensure a comprehensive and meaningful count that shows the scale of homelessness throughout Payne County.
