TheRegionalFoodBank of Oklahoma has launched its Summer Feeding Program at locations across Lincoln County and the state, according to a press release from the food bank.
The program launched on June 2 and will run throughAug. 8. Parents and guardians will be able to pick up free meals for their children from almost 130 sites across Oklahoma.The program is open to children aged 18 and younger.
“When school releases for summer, thousands of children lose access to the nutritious meals they count on. The Regional Food Bank’s Summer Feeding Program helps ensure no child has to worry where their next meal will come from,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “Good nutrition is essential not just for healthy bodies, but for bright futures.”
The program offers both grab-and-go meals that can be taken home, as well as congregate meals, which have to be consumed onsite. This depends on the location.Additionally, each location will have their own set days and times for meal pick-up.
The meals are available to all children, regardless of where they live or if they are in public school or not. They will be provided “equally and without charge to all children aged 18 and younger, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.”
The Summer Feeding Program is a federal nutrition program that is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and distributed through the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the press release said. Love’s is also partnering with the program for the second year.
“After the success of last year’s Summer Feeding Program, it was an easy decision for Love’s to participate again in order to support some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable residents - children who rely on free and reduced lunches during the school year,” said Jenny Love Meyer, chief culture officer of Love’s.
Meyer added that they were able to fund nearly 500,000mealslastsummer.
“We believe ensuring children have access to food is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in their future and are excited to be able to help again this year.”
Here are the locations where meals and snacks are available in Lincoln County and nearby areas:
Chandler Public Library (Grab and Go) 1021 Manvel Ave. Chandler, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, Aug. 4
KickapooTribalHealth Center (Grab and Go) 105365 SH 102 McLoud , 11 a. m. to 12:30 p.m. June 20, July 11, July 25, Aug. 1
C ity of Me e ker (Grab and Go) 510 W. Carl Hubbell Blvd., Meeker, Mondays: 4 to 7 p.m.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Mobile Meals – Stroud (Grab and Go) 322 W. Main St. Stroud, 10 a.m. to Noon June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28
Tryon Public Library (Grab and Go) 122 N. 1 St. Tryon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30
Wellston Farmers Market (Grab and Go) 207 W. 2 St. Wellston, 10 a.m. to Noon June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, Aug. 2