Regional Food Bank's Fall Break Program Fights Hunger In OKC

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Fall Break program is helping fight childhood hunger in Oklahoma City.

Officials said more than 80 percent of children attending Oklahoma City public schools receive free or reduced cost school meals.  Thanks to the food bank and support from the community, any student 18 and under can receive lunch and a snack from 14 sites around the metro during fall break.

“One in four children in Oklahoma will struggle with hunger today,” said Cari Ogden, vice president of community initiatives for the Regional Food Bank. “A child should never have to worry about whether or not they will have food.”

Through this program, students can receive a sack lunch and a snack from October 10 through 21, Monday through Friday, at the following locations and times:

• Douglass Recreation Center, located at 900 ML King in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Downtown YMCA, located at 1 N.W. 4th St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. and a snack is served at 3:30 p.m.
• Macklanburg, located at 2234 N.W. 117th St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is at 2 p.m. and a snack is served at 5 p.m.  Note: This site is only open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church, located at 3131 N.W. 50th St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at noon and a snack is served at 2:30 p.m.  Note: This site is only open October 12 through 14.
• Melrose Recreation Center, located at 7800 Melrose Ln. In Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 12 noon and a snack is served at 3:30 p.m. Note: This site is only open October 13 through 14.
• Minnis Recreation Center, located at 12520 N.E. 36th St. in Spencer.  Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Neighborhoods in Action, located at 1124 N. Douglas in Midwest City.  Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Northwest Optimist, located at 3301 N.W. Grand Blvd in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 12 noon and a snack is served at 3 p.m.  Note: This site is only open October 10 through 14. 
• Pilot, located at 1435 N.W. Kate Ave. in Oklahoma City. Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Pitts Recreation Center, located at 1920 N. Kate in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. and a snack is served at 3:30 p.m.
• Schilling Recreation Center, located at 539 S.E. 25th St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Sellers Recreation Center, located at 8301 S. Villa in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and a snack is served at 4 p.m.
• Southern Oaks Recreation Center, located at 400 S.W. 66th St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. and a snack is served at 3:30 p.m.
• St. Jude Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1001 N.W. 92nd. St. in Oklahoma City.  Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and a snack is served at 3:30 p.m.

Students who already participate in the Food for Kids Backpack Program in OKCPS will receive an extra sack of food to take home on October 9.  Through the Backpack Program, children receive a backpack full of kid-friendly, non-perishable and nutritious food every Friday to sustain them over weekends and school holidays.

For more information, go to the food bank's official website or call (405)-972-1111.