For the second year, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for children. Summertime presents significant nutritional challenges for children who no longer receive school meals, and the summer meals help to address that issue.
Beginning, Monday, June 4, free meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under. Additionally, persons over age 18 determined to be handicapped by a state or local educational agency and who participate in a public or nonprofit private school program for persons who are mentally or physically handicapped will also be served.
“It is alarming to note that in Oklahoma one out of every four children is food insecure,” stated Eileen Bradshaw, the Food Bank’s executive director. “For families already struggling to make ends meet, the lack of meals available from schools during vacations presents additional challenges. This program will help parents better meet the nutritional needs of their children.
For the first time this year, the Food Bank will prepare and deliver shelf-stable summer meals to partners outside the Tulsa area. This includes sites as far north and east as Grove and Langley, and as far south as Idabel and Broken Bow.