Summer makes putting food on the table even harder for Oklahoma’s families, who already face hunger at higher rates than the national average. Once again, Tulsa’s schools and nonprofits are stepping in.
This year, thousands are now without monthly food assistance, driven largely by state and federal eligibility changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That’s likely around 35,000 to 40,000 people in Tulsa, according to Chris Bernard, executive director of Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Add in rising inflation, gas and child care costs and everyone is feeling the pinch, Bernard says, even families who haven’t relied on government support for food.
“Just because you don’t qualify for benefits doesn’t mean you’re not struggling — that’s more true now than ever,” Bernard said. “You have lots more people who have always been able to handle their expenses, who no longer can because everything has got so much more expensive.”
To help combat food insecurity when schools are out of session, 62 sites across the Tulsa metro provide breakfast and lunch for children through the federal summer meals program.
Several other organizations in the metro provide food and meal assistance to residents of all ages, collected here by the Tulsa City-County Library system.
Summer EBT assistance
Many families also likely qualify for additional support through Summer EBT. It’s a program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides cards preloaded with $120 per eligible child for the summer. These funds can be used to purchase qualifying grocery items at participating stores.
Eligible families must meet the requirements for free and reduced lunch at a school district within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation or Cherokee Nation service areas. (Services are provided regardless of if you are a tribal citizen). More than 91% of students at Tulsa Public Schools are eligible for free and reduced meals throughout the year, and nearly 79% of students at neighboring Union Public Schools are eligible.
Homeschooling or charter families are also eligible if they use other food assistance programs.
“The vast majority of kids in the Tulsa metro will qualify for Summer EBT, if they qualify for free and reduced lunch at their school district,” Bernard said. “Just because you didn’t get a card and think you don’t qualify, fill out the application.”
Check your Summer EBT eligibility at oksebt.org.
Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
The food bank hopes to break a new record this summer by providing 750,000 meals to kids across the 24 counties they serve — even with rising fuel costs.
All kids younger than 18 can access free meals and snacks at nearly two dozen sites in Tulsa County, including some “Grab and Go” locations for people to take meals off-site.
Food on the Move
The Tulsa nonprofit has six food distribution events planned through July. Its Community Food and Resource Festivals provide a bag of groceries, hot meal for each guest and resource fair. Dates and times vary for each event.
Bixby Public Schools
All kids younger than 18 can access Bixby’s summer meal program from June 1 through July 16 this year. The program is closed the week of July 3.
Two meals are served Monday through Thursday at the Bixby 9th Grade Center (301 S. Riverview Drive), breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All meals must be eaten on site.
Broken Arrow Public Schools
Kids younger than 18 can access Broken Arrow’s summer meal program at eight sites in June and July this year.
Most BAPS sites are serving two meals Monday through Thursday. Spring Creek Elementary (6801 S. 3rd St.) and Country Lane Primary (301 E. Omaha St.) are serving meals on Fridays. All meals must be eaten on site. Adults may purchase breakfast for $2.95 and lunch for $5.10 on site.
Jenks Public Schools
All kids younger than 18 can access Jenks’ summer meal program at two sites in June and July this year.
Jenks Northwest Elementary (7625 S. Elwood Ave.) is serving two meals Monday through Friday, breakfast from 8:10 to 9:05 a.m. and lunch from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is closed July 2 and 3.
Jenks High School (205 E. B St.) is serving two meals Monday through Friday, breakfast from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. It will be closed June 29 through July 3 and move to Monday through Thursday service after July 6.
All meals must be eaten on site. Adults may purchase breakfast for $3 and lunch for $5.25.
Owasso Public Schools
All kids younger than 18 can access Owasso’s summer meal program at four sites in June and July this year. The program is closed June 29 to July 3.
Most Owasso sites are serving two meals Monday through Friday. Ator Elementary (1500 N. Ash St.) is not serving meals on Fridays. All meals must be eaten on site.
Tulsa Public Schools
All kids younger than 18 can access the TPS summer cafe program at 32 sites from June 1 to July 30 this year.
Service times and dates vary between sites. The program is closed June 19. All meals must be eaten on site.
Union Public Schools
All kids from 1 to 18 years old can access Union’s summer meal program at five sites in June and July this year.
Service times and dates vary between sites, but Grove Elementary will serve meals through Aug. 7. All meals must be eaten on site.
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