Clark Millspaugh telling his story

I can't tell you how excited I am to see Clark coming to The Narrows.  This guy is rich with wisdom and energy.  He is a man of action and his energy is contagious.  I met Clark two years ago at a Wild at Heart Expedition.  Years ago he played an important role in gatherings his closest buddies together to enjoy a trip to Colorado and go to John Elderedge's Boot Camp.  That proved to be an impacting moment, so impacting that those guys brought the expedition home with them.  Now every year, those same guys take over a 100 guys on this journey.  It has personally impacted my life.

Aside from running an exploration business, Clark has made his real legacy in the Westside Harvest Market.  The recent Tulsa World article below tells it best. 

You are invited to come hear the wisdom, passion and hunger that burns in this guy. 

Click below to see the recent Tulsa World Article.

Area gets its own grocery store

by: MIKE AVERILL Tulsa World Staff Writer
Sunday, May 17, 2009
5/17/2009 4:23:30 AM

Residents living in the neighborhood near Eugene Field Elementary can finally do something many of us take for granted: conveniently buy groceries.

The Westside Harvest Market, 2232 S. Nogales Ave., which held its grand opening Saturday, provides a grocery shopping alternative to a community whose only previous option was a Warehouse Market six miles away.

"Most people here don't have a car. They'd have to get a cab or take a bus, which was a several-hour endeavor," said Clark Millspaugh, executive director and founder.

Cindi Hemm, principal of Eugene Field, said the market has been a dream of hers for many years.

"This place doesn't have a grocery store in walking distance. When you have three housing projects and all the kids attend school here, the only place to eat is fast food or a convenient store with $5 gallon milk and it's spoiled," she said. "If you're going to eat an entire diet of fast food, you're going to be bigger and unhealthy. The Harvest Market is a blessing."

The market is part of the Harvest, the nonprofit fresh food market and office complex.

The Harvest is the combined visions of Millspaugh, Hemm and Heather Oakley, who runs Global Gardens, an after-school program that teaches kids about gardening.

One building houses the Westside Harvest Market and Global Gardens.

Next door is a building that will house a 24-7 prayer room, along with lodging for six people in the 24-7 transit program, and other workshops and programs.

"One building is food for the body and the other building is food for the soul," Millspaugh said. "I believe the transformation of the community will happen in the prayer room."

The market includes a teaching kitchen with classes at 1 p.m. every Saturday starting May 23. The first class will be taught by local chef Tuck Curren of Biga and Local Table.

"The ultimate goal is that moms in the community will be teaching other moms in the community," he said. "Moms don't realize that they can cook a meal for less than ordering off the $1 meal at McDonald's that's a lot more nutritious."

Millspaugh and his wife, Anne, along with 10 others, invested about $500,000 to overhaul the buildings and transform them into the Harvest.

The majority of the investors are members of the First Methodist Church, which has been involved with Eugene Field for many years.

"What happens is we come over the bridge and then leave. Now we're here and can have life with them," Millspaugh said. "We're here to build this and give it over to the community."

Tiffany Roberson has lived in the neighborhood for about a year. She has a car and would drive to the Wal-Mart at 81st Street and Lewis Avenue but said she's pleased to now have an option close to home.

"It seems to be a really nice place. It's convenient, there's friendly customer service and the prices are reasonable," she said.

Westside Harvest Market
 

Where: 2232 S. Nogales Ave.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Foods: It offers most food items but doesn’t sell candy, soda, beer or cigarettes.

Mike Averill 581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com