Hunger Free Oklahoma offers several bridging services to help partner organizations connect Oklahomans with valuable grocery assistance resources like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Double Up Oklahoma (DUO), and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), serves Oklahomans of all ages with grocery assistance on an electronic benefits card that can be used at participating retailers.
Currently, Hunger Free Oklahoma offers three ways to connect people with SNAP:
- SNAP Hotline toll-free at 1 (877) 760-0114 to help callers apply for SNAP
- Free training to help organizations assist people in applying for SNAP
- Referral systems to screen and directly connect key populations to SNAP application assistance through key partners and touchpoints.
Here are ways communities, organizations, and service groups can help connect people to SNAP in Oklahoma.
Contact HFO for ideas and resources to share information about SNAP and tell others about the SNAP Hotline.
One of the most effective ways to connect eligible individuals and families to SNAP is through the organizations and people they already trust and regularly interact. Hunger Free Oklahoma offers training for schools and academic settings and community organizations.
SNAP in Schools
The SNAP in Schools program provides school districts with training and technical assistance to learn how to recognize signs of food insecurity, share SNAP with students and their families, and help those interested to apply in a confidential, supported environment.
Click here to learn more about SNAP in Schools and other hunger-fighting activities schools can do.
SNAP at College
A college version of SNAP in Schools and hunger-free communities is available for institutions of higher learning. Trade schools, community colleges, universities, and colleges make great places to connect eligible students to grocery assistance.
Community Partner Training and Support
Hunger Free Oklahoma offers a modified online SNAP training for community partners and organizations that serve vulnerable populations and want to become a SNAP application assistance access point.
SNAP Access Points – learn how to recognize signs of food insecurity, talk about SNAP, and help patrons apply. Assistance can be done in-person or completely virtual. Libraries, faith-based organizations, food pantries, nonprofits, family service agencies can all make great community partners.
- For organizations located in the following counties (Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner), the Tulsa Community Partner Program provides training and support in your area. Contact Eric Barr for details via email or phone: 918-924-8958.
- For organizations in other counties, please complete this interest form.
How it works
To ensure that patrons can conveniently and confidently connect with SNAP application assistance in one easy touchpoint, partners screen for food insecurity and directly connect the people they serve to HFO’s trained hotline staff.
Hospitals, managed care networks, clinics, and childcare facilities are just some of the many ways this can work.
Double Up Oklahoma
Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) helps encourage healthier eating while helping SNAP recipients stretch their food budget.
Stretching SNAP dollars at farmers markets and grocery stores.
How it works
Individuals and families that receive monthly SNAP benefits can spend their SNAP dollars at eligible farmers markets and grocery stores on fruits and vegetables and get matching DUO dollars. For every dollar spent on fruits and veggies, SNAP recipients can earn a dollar for Double Up Oklahoma to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per day.
Click here to learn more about Double Up Oklahoma.
WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), serves pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum people, infants, and children under age five who live in Oklahoma. Dads, grandparents, foster parents, and anyone raising kids under five can apply for support for the kids in their care.
WIC offers nutritionally appropriate food packages via an electronic benefits card that can be used at participating retailers. WIC can be used with other supplemental nutrition programs like SNAP or FDPIR (the Federal Distribution Program on Indian Reservations). Raising awareness of and access to WIC is important.
Raising awareness and sharing WIC with families.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health and nine tribal organizations administer WIC in Oklahoma.
If you work with children under age five or pregnant or breastfeeding women, contact HFO for details about the WIC clinics in your area and ideas for connecting families to WIC.
Libraries, faith-based organizations, food pantries, nonprofits, family service agencies, Head-Start programs, childcare facilities, Mother’s Day Out programs, foster service organizations, can all make great WIC connectors.
Reach out!
Do you have questions or would like to discuss how this could work for your organization or community? Let us know by completing this short form and we’ll get back to you.
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