Free Summer Meals Program Helps Fill the Gap for Tulsa Families During School Break
TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — While summer break means time away from the classroom, it can also mean many children lose access to the free breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year.
To help fill that gap, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma partnered with community organizations to host a Summer Meals Pop-Up at McCullough Park on Friday, providing free lunches to children and teens while offering games and family-friendly activities.
For Tulsa resident Christi Ballinger, the event was about more than just a free meal.
“It’s been great,” Ballinger said. “The kids liked it, they all got some lunch, and hung out and now they are playing games and playing on the playground.”
Although it was her family’s first time attending one of the pop-up events, Ballinger said they have used other summer meal sites in the past. She says programs like this help ease the financial burden many families face.
“It’s a big help,” Ballinger said. “We don’t always partake in it, but I know for other families it’s a big help for them to be able to have a free lunch because in this economy it’s kind of hard to feed your kiddos sometimes.”
According to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, more than 330,000 meals have already been served through its Summer Meals Program this year. The organization’s goal is to distribute 750,000 meals across Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma before children return to school.
Ava Skipper, an intern and coordinator with the Food Bank’s Summer Feeding Program, says consistent access to nutritious food plays an important role in a child’s development.
“Food is one of the basic necessities that children need to develop and learn and really just to be able to play and have fun without feeling hungry,” Skipper said.
She added that when children don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, they are better able to learn, grow and simply enjoy being kids.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols also attended Friday’s event, highlighting the importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months.
According to the Food Bank, one in four Oklahoma children face hunger, making programs like the Summer Meals Program an important resource for families.
“These are things that fill in the gaps,” Nichols said. “We make sure we are doing everything we can not to leave any family, any child behind, particularly when it comes to making sure they have the things they need to be successful.”
The Summer Meals Program provides free meals to all children and teens 18 years old and younger at participating sites throughout the summer. Families can find meal locations across eastern Oklahoma through the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Summer Meals Program. Click here for more information.