Bartlesville Group Gives Out Record 840,000 Meals To Kids During Pandemic

Bartlesville Child Nutrition has been feeding thousands of families during COVID-19, even at home, as many schools continue to do virtual learning.

They have given out a record 840,000 meals since the pandemic started.

Each weekday morning, Ben and Nicole Turner wait for the bus; but the bus doesn't take their kids to school, it drops off breakfast and lunch for their kids.

"Started doing it soon after the pandemic, they were on the ball, getting lunches for kids,” Nicole said.

It’s part of the Bartlesville Child Nutrient program which serves nine schools in the district.

“Out of our 6,000 students, 3,000 are identified as needing additional food resources,” Director John Beckloff said.

Beckloff said the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Nutrition have allowed them to feed any child, even serving kids and students outside the building. 

"They extended several waivers and allowed us to continue serving our summers meals throughout the school year, so every summer we have served free meals, but they said they will allow us to do it all the way through until June."

Nicole encourages other families who might be struggling during this tough time to take advantage help like this.

"Just use the resources, there is a lot of help in Bartlesville."

Bartlesville Child Nutrition expects the waivers to expire at some point but, until then, organizers just want to make sure no child goes hungry.