SNAP in Schools
“For many parents, it’s like a one-stop-shop center, to know they can apply for SNAP right here in their neighborhood is a time and cost savings for them.”
Ms. Dannie V Soler
Tulsa Public Schools
SIS an impact story
“Through district wide SNAP awareness campaigns during teacher in-service days, SNAP training for key staff, SNAP assistance at the back-to-school resource fair, and increased communication with families through posters, letters, and other print material…we are doing a better job of reaching qualified families and connecting them with community resources. In fact, this year alone, we increased our eligible households by nearly 20%.”
Andrea Rains
Ed. D, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Child Nutrition
“To reach more families and feed more children, building strong community partnerships is what it is all about.”
Roe Worbes
Superintendent,
Altus Public Schools
Ending childhood hunger in rural OK
What is SNAP in Schools?
SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in the nation. SNAP benefits families in many ways, including improving food security, but remains underutilized in Oklahoma. Lack of awareness, stigma, and trouble completing an application can prevent families from applying for SNAP.
Hunger Free Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Human Services and No Kid Hungry, is offering tools and funding to schools to help connect families and individuals to SNAP benefits. By sharing this knowledge and leveraging our tools, schools can enhance their nutrition programs, promote student health, and benefit the local community. SNAP-friendly schools receive free outreach material, technical assistance, training, and resources.
Here’s how you can offer customized SNAP outreach at your school:
Customize callback forms
For increased convenience, a call back form can be offered for families and individuals to share their contact information and preferred time to complete the SNAP application over the phone. The call back form can be available in English and Spanish.
Offer SNAP outreach at events
We can help coordinate a SNAP Specialist to attend your event. Complete this outreach event form with event details and we will work on coordinating with partners to determine availability.
Complete SNAP application assistance training
If you or your staff want to learn the latest on helping others complete the Oklahoma SNAP application, submit an organizational Letter of Agreement and complete the online, self-paced, “Becoming a SNAP Application Assistant” course.
This training is great for beginning and experienced SNAP application helpers. It takes about 45 minutes and can be done all at once or in several sessions. Once complete, participants will be equipped to help others apply onsite and will have access to ongoing tools and support from the Hunger Free Oklahoma SNAP team.
Apply for school food security funding
The goal of this funding is to partner with public schools and school districts to develop and implement a plan to make notable changes in awareness, access, and/or participation of SNAP in their school communities.
School partners of Hunger Free Oklahoma can apply to become contracted partners for the chance to receive up to $20,000 to implement their school-based project focused on increasing awareness, access, and/or participation in SNAP. Ideally these projects would involve multiple facets of the school community, including the end user, in development, implementation, and project completion.
Schools can join the Oklahoma Community Partner Network (CPN) by offering any of the customized options above. The CPN is a statewide network of about 200 organizations working to connect Oklahomans to SNAP application assistance and improved food security.
There are many other ways schools can help their students, families, and communities. Visit the Schools Ending Hunger page for more information.
For additional information to maximize SNAP, visit the Bridges to Grocery Assistance and Expand Your SNAP Benefits pages.
Connect with the HFO team for additional tools and support.
Complete this interest form to connect with a Hunger Free Oklahoma team member today.
Share SNAP info today
Share free promotional materials:
Visit the HFO store to order free SNAP materials for your school and programs.
This Food Resources for Families flyer offers information on a variety of food programs and services for families.
Connect to SNAP Application Assistance Hotline:
The statewide SNAP Application Assistance Hotline helps callers apply for or renew SNAP benefits in about 20 minutes. Here’s how to refer someone:
Call 1 (877) 760-0114. The hotline is open six days a week and offers assistance in English, Spanish, and Zomi.
Use UNITE US. If you have a UNITE US account, here are instructions to refer to the hotline. If you do not have an account, here is a quick informational video and link to request an account.
Connect with the HFO team for additional tools and support.
Complete this interest form to connect with a Hunger Free Oklahoma team member today.