The numbers are in, and the State Department of Education calls Oklahoma’s summer feeding program a success.
Participation in the federally funded program was up 14 percent this year. That means 1.6 million free meals went to kids between May and August. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said it wasn’t easy with education funding cuts preventing schools from offering summer sessions, which bring kids to meals.
"So, we are looking at innovative ways like food trucks, a mobile feeding site using regional libraries in communities as a central point for children that might be able to walk or have a family member take them," Hofmeister said.
Another 200,000 or so meals came through local charities and faith-based groups as part of the Food for Thought campaign.
"We are grateful for all of our community partners that assisted in making sure that no child went hungry this summer and that also helped promote the importance of reducing child food insecurity in Oklahoma," Hofmeister said.
The State Department of Education served meals at 677 locations between May and August.
While around 62 percent of kids qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, only about 6 percent of them got them last summer — the lowest rate in the nation.
"So, we had to do something about that, and we built that into our plan for improving outcomes for kids," Hofmeister said. "And it starts with meeting basic needs.
The State Department of Education has a goal of increasing the number of summer meals served by 30 percent by 2025.
Increasing access to child nutrition is also one of six key initiatives in the education department’s new eight-year plan, Oklahoma Edge.
