impact of food insecurity
Wrapping Up the Hungry for Action Conference: A Call to Action Against Food Insecurity
As we close the doors on this year’s Hungry for Action Conference, we are filled with gratitude and inspiration from the nearly 400 passionate attendees who gathered in Tulsa to confront the pressing issue of food insecurity in our state. Over the course of this event, we explored new strategies, forged invaluable connections, and ignited a shared commitment to action.
Read more »Navigating and Preventing SNAP Fraud
SNAP theft and fraud are on the rise. Learn how to protect your SNAP funds and report theft below.
Read more »Breakfast After the Bell: Fueling Success for Students
Breakfast has long been hailed as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. When it comes to K-12 students, ensuring they start their day with a nutritious meal is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success. That’s where Breakfast After the Bell programs come in, reimagining how schools approach morning nutrition.
Read more »Non-congregate Summer Meal Sites Expand to Majority of State
As the new school year starts, the excitement is in the air! Kids are meeting their teachers and reuniting with friends, while parents are busy gathering school supplies to set their children up for success. Schools, teachers, and staff are working hard to ensure a smooth school year. Amidst all this energy, we’re excited to share some thrilling updates about the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in Schools initiatives and how they can provide valuable support.
Read more »Summer EBT Program Update: What’s Next for 2025
In recent days, we’ve been navigating a flurry of developments regarding the Summer EBT program and its future in our state. Here’s a quick overview of where things stand:
Read more »Back-to-School Excitement!
As the new school year starts, the excitement is in the air! Kids are meeting their teachers and reuniting with friends, while parents are busy gathering school supplies to set their children up for success. Schools, teachers, and staff are working hard to ensure a smooth school year. Amidst all this energy, we’re excited to share some thrilling updates about the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in Schools initiatives and how they can provide valuable support.
Read more »Ending Hunger in Oklahoma: Community Collaboration and Support
One in six Oklahomans are food insecure, making Oklahoma one of the hungriest states in the country. Food insecurity is a complex issue with no single solution. With rising food and housing costs, it will take a sustained community effort to end food insecurity in the state.
What does a sustained community effort look like?
A sustained community effort involves ongoing collaboration, education, support, and resource sharing among various stakeholders. It requires consistent engagement from local organizations and partnerships to create a robust network of support.
Read more »Hunger Free Oklahoma Launches LEARN Workshop to Amplify Perspectives of Those Experiencing Food Insecurity
To amplify the voices of those who experience hunger and food insecurity, Hunger Free Oklahoma is launching the Lived Experience and Resource Network (LEARN) Workshop that includes a paid eight-month program beginning September 2024 for Tulsa and surrounding area residents.
Read more »Congressional Visits: Making Advocacy Easy and Accessible
On June 5, a team representing Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma went to Washington, D.C. where they discussed the upcoming Farm Bill with our Oklahoma delegation. For several, it was their first time to make Congressional visits. Here is a glimpse into some of their experiences, proving that anyone passionate about these issues can engage with their elected officials.
Read more »Summer EBT: Providing a Healthy Summer for Kids
The Muscogee Nation is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation, the Cherokee Nation, Hunger Free Oklahoma, and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to introduce the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) to the Muscogee Nation Reservation. Summer EBT provides additional nutritional support to eligible children during the summer months when they do not have access to school meals.
Read more »Making Summer Nutrition a SNAP: A Grocery Assistance Explainer
As summer approaches, households with school-age children can find themselves in a tough position. Without school to supplement some of their kids’ nutrition needs throughout the day, grocery budgets get stretched and what a family can afford may be limited.
Read more »Ladder of Youth Voice
YAC is an intergenerational approach to authentic youth engagement and we follow the Ladder of Youth Voice, adopted by Adam Fletcher. The lowest levels of the ladder represent programs with youth who are not able to make decisions on the projects they work on, the activities they do, and can appear to be in token roles. The highest levels of the ladder represent programs with youth who are leading projects, making decisions, practicing conflict resolution, and embodying a youth-driving atmosphere. We strive for youth/adult equity in our Youth Action Council program at Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Read more »Politics Take a Back Seat to Hunger at Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This quote hangs in my office as a daily reminder to myself and others. A reminder that true advocacy is not just about fighting for what matters to you – it is about inspiring others to join the conversation. Justice Ginsburg’s words are especially important in reflection of Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol.
Read more »Collaborative Progress: Navigating the Nonlinear Path to End Hunger in Oklahoma
Just eight months ago, I received an email which said the following: “Hunger and poverty exist EVERYWHERE.” The reminder came a few weeks after accepting an invitation to join the Congressional Hunger Center’s 30th class of Emerson Fellows. For those not familiar with the program, the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship trains and inspires new leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States. Fellows gain vital first-hand experience through placements with community-based organizations across the country coupled with policy-focused organizations in Washington, D.C.
Read more »Getting Oklahoma Libraries Involved in Anti-Hunger Solutions
At the beginning of March, Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) team members joined the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) annual conference in Tulsa. During this two-day event, HFO staff engaged with public, school-based, and university library staff about opportunities to address hunger in their communities. HFO had the opportunity to share ways to get connected in anti-hunger work through several presentations, including topics on summer meals tips, SNAP outreach, and resources for libraries to get involved in feeding programs.
Read more »National School Breakfast Week is here again!
There’s no easy way to say this… school breakfast participation across Oklahoma is down. Average Daily Participation (ADP*) in school breakfast dropped by 9.8% from School Year (SY) 2021-2022 to SY 2022-2023.
The decline in school meals participation could stem from multiple factors. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) notes, “Rising food costs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions, coupled with the return of charging for meals, have contributed to reports of declining participation in many school districts. Families have been confused about the change from pandemic operations; stigma surrounding school meal participation and school meal debt has returned; and schools are burdened with increased administrative work.”
Read more »“Peace is a form of generational wealth.” – Dr. Monifa, M.D.
In the movie Barbie, as Ruth Handler walks with Barbie, she says, “We mothers stand still, so our daughters can look back to see how far they’ve come.” As I reminisce about my six-month tenure in Oklahoma as a Bill Emerson Hunger Fellow, I think about the generations of my Vietnamese ancestors that longed for a future of joy, stability, and imagination beyond the atrocities of colonization, war, and poverty.
Read more »Summer Meals Regional Convenings to Kick Off February 22
HFO will hold three Summer Meals Regional Convenings in partnership with the Childhood Food Security Coalition (CFSC), Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (FBEO), and Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (RFBO). These convenings will replace the previous annual Summer Meals Kick-off format.
Read more »Long-term Impacts Take Long-term Work
I recently spoke on the value of systems change and advocacy to a group of nonprofit leaders convened by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. I was recognized with an innovation award, which was an acknowledgement of HFO’s staff and partner’s ability to creatively implement original approaches to fighting hunger in our state. I noted that the most important step for innovation is scaling. If it is not scalable, then an innovation is not a solution.
Read more »Make Every Tuesday Giving Tuesday with Monthly Donations to Hunger Free Oklahoma
As we approach the holidays, we encounter many heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of need and generosity. We are all appropriately moved by accounts of struggling families who are gifted boxes loaded with turkeys and all the trimmings. We know that everyone deserves to gather at the table with loved ones, and we express this value by charitable giving, almost a third of which happens in December. Our giving reflects our belief that everyone should have a full belly and a full heart this time of year.
Read more »Oklahoma Schools Can Prevent Household Hunger
While hunger and soaring prices continue to affect Oklahomans, SNAP offers a multi-generational intervention with a track record for improving food security.
Because schools have the data and relationships to connect families to food resources, they are uniquely positioned to reach and improve food security for many of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable families.
Read more »Filling the Summer Food Gap: Maximizing Summer Meals for All
Summer is a time for sunshine, friends, and fun, but when food is limited, it can be a huge stress for families. During the school year, breakfast and lunch are available to students, but they lose critical access to meals when schools are out. Summer meal programs can help families fill the food gap and engage the community.
Read more »Fueling Success: Navigating Back-to-School Season with Food Resources
As the last days of summer fade away and the whispers of autumn begin to emerge, it is that time of year again — back-to-school season. Beyond the flurry of buying new backpacks and fresh notebooks, the transition from vacation mode to school mode brings with it a renewed focus on routines and responsibilities.
Read more »SNAP Work Requirements and Exemptions Explained
This year, the most important legislation for addressing food insecurity is being considered by Congress – the Farm Bill. But what is the Farm Bill, really? A bill about farms? Yes, but at a much deeper level than most people might realize.
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