by Aisosa Udoh, Hunger Outreach Program Specialist
In March 2025, Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) had the pleasure of joining the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) annual conference in Norman. This two-day event was a fantastic opportunity to engage with library staff from public, school-based, and university libraries about addressing hunger in local communities.
HFO shared vital resources and strategies through a variety of formats, including tabling, a poster presentation, and two informative sessions on Summer Meals and SNAP. Our presentations covered key topics like summer meal programs, Afterschool Meals, SNAP outreach, and ways libraries can become more involved in federally reimbursable feeding programs. Libraries are powerful community hubs, and we’re thrilled to highlight how they can be key players in the fight against hunger.
Our booth was bustling with conversation as attendees discussed ways to expand access to summer and afterschool meals, connect eligible patrons to SNAP benefits, and equip families with essential resources. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and build new connections with organizations dedicated to serving their communities.
A fun highlight of the event was the positive feedback on our event bags, which featured the pun “Lettuce Beet Hunger.” These bags not only caught people’s attention but helped us spread the important message of fighting hunger in Oklahoma with a touch of fun!
A big thank you to the Oklahoma Library Association for hosting such a successful event, and to all the libraries across the state for their ongoing efforts to end hunger. To learn more or get involved, visit the Library page on our website here or contact Alissa Snider, Hunger Outreach Program Specialist, for more information.