Written by AmyLee Pettis, Senior Program Specialist, Summer EBT
When school cafeterias close for the summer, many families face an increased challenge to keep nutritious food on the table. That’s where the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program comes in – a federal initiative that provides grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during the summer months.
In Oklahoma, Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) works hand in hand with five Tribal Nations to administer SEBT across the state. Each Tribe brings its own leadership, identity, and unique service area needs. Together, this partnership has built a program that not only delivers nutrition assistance, but also honors Tribal sovereignty and local decision-making.
Expanding Reach and Efficiency in 2025
The 2025 operational cycle of Summer EBT marked a significant year of growth and improvement:
- 312 school districts provided data for passive enrollment, creating a streamlined process that resulted in 277,400 records.
- More than 12,500 applications were submitted, and over 8,300 underwent human review for verification or audit purposes.
- The total number of benefit cards mailed rose to 173,556, nearly triple the 2024 total of 59,000 (families are grouped together on one card when possible).
- The total number of beneficiaries rose to 292,000 in 2025, nearly half of Oklahoma’s children enrolled in public schools.
This growth means more Oklahoma families were able to access the $120-per-child benefit that helps cover summer grocery costs, a meaningful boost for households stretching to feed kids when school meals aren’t available.
Supporting Families Every Step of the Way
Behind the numbers is a dedicated team working to ensure families can successfully receive and use their benefits.
The SEBT Helpline, staffed by bilingual representatives, handled more than 25,000 inbound calls this summer – with an average wait time of just two minutes. Staff helped families with card information, technical assistance, and address updates.
Meanwhile, HFO’s Mail Room processed over 10,000 returned cards. Nearly 5,800 of those cards have been successfully resent to families.
Collaboration That Makes a Difference
This year’s success was made possible through continued collaboration between Hunger Free Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Muscogee Creek Nation, and Otoe-Missouria Tribe, as well as hundreds of school districts. Together, they’ve helped lay the groundwork for an even stronger system for 2026 and beyond – one that reaches more families, operates more efficiently, and builds on the lessons learned each year.
As Program Director Missy Brumley shared during a recent presentation, “Every number represents a child who had a better summer – and that’s the work we’re here to do.”
Hunger Free Oklahoma remains committed to strengthening the Summer EBT program, building capacity, and ensuring that no child goes hungry when school is out.