OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - An estimated one in five Oklahoma children face food insecurity.
Despite that statistic, earlier this year the state opted out of a Summer EBT food program.
"We're also historically the worst state in the country at kids accessing summer meals,” said Hunger Free Oklahoma's President & CEO, Chris Bernard.
This is the first year for the Summer EBT benefits, similar to the plan implemented by the USDA during the pandemic. This summer the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole Nations are participating.
Eligible families can get up to $40 per eligible child, per month. The benefits work together with other federal assistance programs.
"I think you're seeing in total close to 200,000 kids getting access to this benefit,” said Bernard.
However, Bernard told KFOR that number is less than half of children in the state who are eligible.
"If the state had opted in, close to 450,000 kids would have had access to the program,” said Bernard.
In January, Governor Stitt voiced concerns about being required to commit to the program before the rules were finalized.
"The reason we did not opt into the EBT program at this point is because it's not fully vetted yet,” said Gov. Stitt. “We just didn't know enough about the program. Not saying we wouldn't do it next year."
Getting on board for next year is exactly what Benard is calling on the state to do.
“The first official deadline is in the middle of August for the state to say they intend to run the program next year,” said Bernard. “To not do it is simply denying these families the resources they need to feed their families and that doesn't just hurt them. That hurts all of us."
Summer EBT can be an important tool to help close the summer hunger gap when children are on summer break and don’t have access to nutritious school meals. It is vital that children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer months so they can thrive and be prepared to learn when school begins in the fall.
Research shows a negative impact of the physical, emotional and cognitive development for children who experience food insecurity and we should use every tool possible to alleviate hunger throughout the year. The Regional Food Bank's Summer Feeding Program currently offers free meals and snacks to children up to the age of 18 at more than 100 sites across central and western Oklahoma. Families can visit rfbo.org/summermeals to find a Summer Feeding site operating in their area.
Stacy Dykstra, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Here is a map that shows which states participate in the program.
