Focus on Kids: Inside the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma's Summer Feeding Program

As the school year comes to a close, food insecurity begins to rise for many Oklahoma children. Without access to school lunches, thousands of families turn to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for support. This summer, the food bank is preparing to serve more than 600,000 free meals—nearly triple the number from last year.

News On 6 got a behind-the-scenes look at how employees and volunteers work around the clock to ensure no child goes hungry.

Food insecurity increases during summer break

Roughly 25% of children in Oklahoma face food insecurity, according to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. That number tends to climb during the summer months when school meals aren’t available. To help fill that gap, the food bank launches its Summer Feeding Program each year.

“It’s a critical time,” said CEO Jeff Marlow. “We’re here to make sure that kids can enjoy summer and not let food be the worry.”

Inside the food bank’s daily operation

For the next 90 days, nearly 100 staff members and thousands of volunteers will prepare and deliver meals to children across eastern Oklahoma.

Chief Culinary Officer Jeremy Johnson said his team starts prepping at 6 a.m. to stay ahead of demand.

“The first three hours of our day are key,” Johnson said. “We’re preparing and doing so much to get ready for the two volunteer shifts—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.”

Once the final shift ends around 2 p.m., the team begins prepping again for the next day.

Massive expansion in meals served

Two years ago, the Summer Feeding Program delivered about 85,000 meals. Last year, that number jumped to 227,000. This year, the food bank projects it will distribute more than 600,000 meals to children in 24 counties.

“We’re not just feeding Tulsa County,” said Johnson. “We’re feeding half the state.”

Reaching families in rural areas

To make food access easier in smaller towns, the food bank partners with more than 600 food pantries across the region. Marlow said convenience and consistency are key to the program’s success.

“You might be driving 20 minutes or 20 miles in rural Oklahoma,” he said. “So we give a full week’s worth of meals at a time.”

Visit the food bank's website to find a distribution location in your area.

Every dollar helps

The food bank credits its volunteers and donors for making the program possible. Officials say just $1 can pay for four meals.

Click here to donate to the food bank.