PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE. YEAH, THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA SAYS 60% OF STUDENTS RELY ON FREE SCHOOL MEALS. THAT’S WHY THEY SAY SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL. WELL, THIS SUMMER, OF COURSE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS, FAMILIES WILL NOT BE RECEIVING THE SUMMER EBT CARD. AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE A HARDSHIP FOR A NUMBER OF FAMILIES. FEEDING HUNGRY OKLAHOMA CHILDREN WILL LOOK DIFFERENT THIS YEAR AFTER GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT OPTED OUT OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM TO FEED STUDENTS DURING SUMMER BREAK, A TIME OF YEAR, THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA SAYS IS VITAL WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT, THEY’RE LOSING ACCESS TO THOSE NUTRITIOUS MEALS. THE FOOD BANK WILL BE PROVIDING FREE MEALS TO CHILDREN AND MORE THAN 100 SITES THIS SUMMER, STARTING AFTER MEMORIAL DAY, INCLUDING GRAB AND GO LOCATIONS AND SOMETHING NEW. THIS YEAR, MOBILE UNITS. WE’RE GOING TO BE IN ALICE GREER HARMON AND LOVE COUNTY, AND THAT’S IN LARGE PART THANKS TO THE SUPPORT FROM LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS. ON MONDAY, OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED THEIR SUMMER FEEDING SITES STARTING JUNE 3RD THROUGH THE 28TH. THE DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT TEN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL FEED ANY CHILD NO ID OR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT REQUIRED. IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS SO THAT THEY CAN THRIVE AND GROW ALONG WITH THEIR PEERS. NOW, SUMMER FEEDING SITES FOR THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA WILL BE ON THEIR WEBSITE STARTING NEXT WEEK. YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THAT WEBSITE ALONG WITH THE LOCATIONS AND TIMES FOR OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FEEDING LOCATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE. JUST FOLLOW THIS STORY ON KO
Oklahoma loses federal programs to feed many hungry kids during summer break
Gov. Kevin Stitt opted out of the federal program to feed students during summer break, a time of the year the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma said is vital.
Updated: 4:20 PM CDT Jul 31, 2024
As summer break nears, Oklahoma schools and the Regional Food Bank are preparing to feed thousands of children who rely on free school meals after changes were made this year.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma reports that 60% of students depend on these meals, which is why they said summer feeding programs are crucial."Well, this summer, of course, will be the first time in four years families will not be receiving the summer EBT card, so that is going to be a hardship for a number of families," Cathy Nestlen, the director of communications and marketing at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, said. Feeding hungry Oklahoma children will look different this year after Gov. Kevin Stitt opted out of the federal program to feed students during summer break, a time of the year the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma said is vital. "When school is out, they’re losing access to those nutritious meals," Nestlen said. The food bank will still provide free meals at more than 100 sites this summer, starting after Memorial Day. This includes grab-and-go locations and a new addition this year – mobile units."We’re going to be in Ellis, Greer, Harmon and Love counties, and that’s in large part because of the support from Love’s Travel Stops," Nestlen said. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.On Monday, Oklahoma City Public Schools announced their summer feeding sites. From June 3-28, the district will provide breakfast and lunch at 10 different schools. Oklahoma City Public Schools will feed any child, no ID or proof of enrollment is required. "It’s important that children have consistent access to nutritious foods, so they can thrive and grow along with their peers," Nestlen said. Summer feeding site locations and times will be available on the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s website starting next week. Another program helping feed Oklahoma children is already full. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Local Food for Schools Program connects schools with local ranchers to provide fresh local food to students.Last week, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry announced the program would be extended to October 31. However, within days, they closed the application because they reached the total funds remaining. Twenty-nine Oklahoma schools were approved for the extension, including Mid-Del, Chandler, Stillwater, Luther and Pauls Valley.Top Headlines 'Shocking to see': Neighbors react to triple homicide inside Chickasha home VIDEO: Tornado forms in Western Pennsylvania over the weekend, sending debris flying OSBI investigates triple homicide in Chickasha, searches for person-of-interest 2 dead after altercation at Lawton Correctional Facility WATCH: Videos you may have missed this week
OKLAHOMA CITY — As summer break nears, Oklahoma schools and the Regional Food Bank are preparing to feed thousands of children who rely on free school meals after changes were made this year.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma reports that 60% of students depend on these meals, which is why they said summer feeding programs are crucial.
"Well, this summer, of course, will be the first time in four years families will not be receiving the summer EBT card, so that is going to be a hardship for a number of families," Cathy Nestlen, the director of communications and marketing at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, said.
Feeding hungry Oklahoma children will look different this year after Gov. Kevin Stitt opted out of the federal program to feed students during summer break, a time of the year the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma said is vital.
"When school is out, they’re losing access to those nutritious meals," Nestlen said.
The food bank will still provide free meals at more than 100 sites this summer, starting after Memorial Day. This includes grab-and-go locations and a new addition this year – mobile units.
"We’re going to be in Ellis, Greer, Harmon and Love counties, and that’s in large part because of the support from Love’s Travel Stops," Nestlen said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
On Monday, Oklahoma City Public Schools announced their summer feeding sites. From June 3-28, the district will provide breakfast and lunch at 10 different schools. Oklahoma City Public Schools will feed any child, no ID or proof of enrollment is required.
"It’s important that children have consistent access to nutritious foods, so they can thrive and grow along with their peers," Nestlen said.
Summer feeding site locations and times will be available on the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s website starting next week.
Another program helping feed Oklahoma children is already full. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Local Food for Schools Program connects schools with local ranchers to provide fresh local food to students.
Last week, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry announced the program would be extended to October 31. However, within days, they closed the application because they reached the total funds remaining.
Twenty-nine Oklahoma schools were approved for the extension, including Mid-Del, Chandler, Stillwater, Luther and Pauls Valley.
Top Headlines