Food Bank Of Eastern Oklahoma Prepares To Help More Families Than Usual This Summer

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is preparing to help even more families than usual this summer. 

With the COVID-19 boost in snap benefits ending several months ago, the food bank estimates the need for its services will be much higher. 

Chris Bernard, President & CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, says more than 400,000 kids and their families rely on free school breakfasts and lunches. 

Bernard says last year, agencies across Oklahoma served nearly 2 million meals at about 900 sites, and they hope to reach even more in 2023. Finding sites to distribute the food and eliminating the stigma for families to accept meals can be challenging. 

Since the pandemic era benefits ended this year, kids can pick up food for the entire week. This is key, especially in rural communities, as some families deal with transportation issues.

“We are lucky this is now permanent they are going to be able to do that for rural areas. You have to qualify and the state has to approve it. So we think this year you won’t see as many sites doing it, but over the next few years, our goal is to grow that significantly,” Chris Bernard, President & CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, said.

Bridget Wunch, Children’s Program Manager of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, says the organization distributes food to about 700 locations across 24 counties in Oklahoma. This year, they estimate that it will serve more than 140,000 people through its summer feeding program. That’s nearly triple the number of meals it gave out last year.

Wunch says with SNAP benefits no longer available, the need for its services is even greater.

“All of these families need more help than they ever have and inflation continues to rise and food prices are at an all-time high. So it’s so important to be able to supplement with programs like summer feeding and really try to decrease the food insecurity,” Bridget Wunsch, Children’s Program Manager Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, said.

Families in need are encouraged to apply to receive the $120 Summer PEBT benefit through the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July. 

Kids who qualify include those who are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. 

For a full list of sites open to benefit families in need this summer from the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Click Here.