Oklahoma Kids Eat Healthy Thanks To Summer Program

Amanda Taylor, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Brown paper sacks may not seem like much. But to more than 1,000 metro kids 18 and under, they're packed with a healthy lunch.

A sandwich, fruit and cheese some of them may not receive if it wasn't for the Regional Food Bank's Summer Feeding Program.

Brinda Embery and her staff prepare up to 1200 sacks every day throughout the summer.

"When school is out, a lot of kids are home alone all day," Embery said. "They don't eat breakfast and lunch. It's not available to them like it is during school. We make it available so they can have something nutritious to eat."

The sack lunches are delivered to children at 26 sites across the metro.

Places like Oak Grove Housing.

"They couldn't wait. This was like Christmas day," Mom of 4, Veronica Coston said. "This is just a blessing within itself because now a days you don't have too many communities that care about the kids."

The people at the Regional Food Bank want families to know they care.

"The children can come in with no questions asked," Regional Food Bank Programs Director Paula Clayton said. "You just walk in and we'll feed any child."

Clayton said the reward comes after talking with people like a grandmother raising her 4 grandchildren.

"She said she didn't know how she was going to be able to feed them without this program, so she was very grateful," Clayton said.

Veronica Coston believes the program makes an impact after summer ends.

"It's very helpful. It's very encouraging and to me it's a life long life experience," Coston said. "Help one another and we'll have a better community."

These meals wouldn't be available without your help.

News 9 has teamed up to support the Regional Food Bank's Food for Kids program.

Find out how you can donate to the Regional Food Bank's Food for Kids program.

Find a location near you in this complete list of Summer Feeding sites and hours.