Despite one of every five Oklahoma children living through food insecurity, the state won’t participate in a new federal summer food program for children, reports @denwalthttps://t.co/qzDu7fUOad
— Ben Felder (@benfelder_okc) January 3, 2024
Guess the GOP has its latest campaign slogan: Those kids wanna eat, let ’em find a job!
Despite one of every five Oklahoma children living through food insecurity, the state won’t participate in a new federal summer food program for children.
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office cited uncertainty about how the federal government will administer the program.
The Summer EBT program would have doled out $40 per month this summer for children who get free or reduced price meals during the school year. Families would be able to purchase groceries using an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card. It’s similar to the pandemic-era children’s food program that recently expired, which gave eligible families $120 per child to buy food during summer months.
Chris Bernard, president and CEO of the nonprofit Hunger Free Oklahoma, said the governor’s decision was extremely disappointing.
“We are always in the bottom 10 in the country in terms of food security,” Bernard said. “Families and kids are struggling for sure, and the (summer food) program was something we’ve supported for a long time.”
Estimates vary, but Oklahoma has about half a million children who could qualify for the Summer EBT program. USDA estimates there could be 403,000 children who are eligible, while the number of children eligible for a similar program launched during the pandemic was about 640,000…
Maybe some of y’all are visual learners! 🤞Here’s a visual of why it’s a bad call for the gov to not opt in to a summer food program (paid for by OUR federal taxes) 👀 ⬇️
*For y’all who hate maps/graphs: Oklahoma has the 2nd highest food insufficiency (think hunger) rate! pic.twitter.com/O2ZCYh2Bze
— Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (@jacobrosecrants) January 4, 2024
Thursday Evening Open Thread: Oklahoma, Not OkayPost + Comments (119)