Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the states with the highest rate of childhood food insecurity. We work hard all year long to end childhood hunger in Oklahoma and can reach many of the 40,000 children we serve while they are at school. But when school is out for the summer, it’s a whole new ballgame.
With your strong support and through partnerships with community-based organizations, we’re reaching children and families with the food they need to grow and thrive during those summer months and beyond.
Our Kids Café provides meals and snacks to students at after-school sites that also provide mentoring, tutoring and activities to keep them busy. These sites are open during the summer months as well, offering a reliable source of nutritious meals even while school is out.
“They’ve always had food for me here no matter what, and I would say thank you,” says 12-year-old Malachi, who has been coming to Kids Café for the last six years.
Not only does he enjoy seeing his friends and playing outside, he also gets a nutritious lunch and snacks to keep him going.
Your kind gifts also support our Summer Feeding Program, available at sites across central and western Oklahoma. Children up to age 18 can receive a free, nutritious meal and snack during summer break, and we are even delivering meals and snacks to eligible families to increase our reach to rural areas in the state. Just what they need to keep them fueled for summer fun!
Meals and snacks for both programs are prepared and packaged in Hope’s Kitchen, the Regional Food Bank’s production kitchen. Kids Café is operated as a partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your support helps make it all happen.
Your continued support helps fuel children for summertime fun and learning. Thank you!
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