The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is now accepting applications for its Summer Feeding Program, according to a press release from the food bank.
The program helps feed students up to the age of 18, providing free, nutritious meals and snacks while school is out of session, the press release said.
“During the summer months, thousands of Oklahoma children lose access to healthy, nutritious meals they need to thrive,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “This program helps ensure no child has to worry where their next meal will come from.”
The program starts on June 1 and runs through Aug. 8. Interested sites should be in an area where the assigned school attendance has at least 50 percent of children receiving free or reduced-price lunches. The program isn’t limited to only schools -- non-profits, churches, community centers, libraries, parks and recreation locations can also apply, the release said. All sites must be approved by the Regional Food Bank and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
There are applications for congregate and non-congregate sites. Congregate sites must have appropriate space for children to eat and choose mealtimes approved by the Regional Food Bank. Non-congregate sites are available for rural areas where there’s no congregate meal service. These locations will allow pre-packaged meal pickup, the release said.
The due date for congregate sites is April 17, and that for non-congregate sites is April 10.
Previous sites in Lincoln County include the public library in Chandler.
The Summer Feeding Program is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and distributed through the Oklahoma State Department of Education.