Choctaw Nation offering summer food programs

The Choctaw Nation says it's offering two summer food programs again this year.

The Summer EBT program provides qualifying families with $40 per child, per month, for groceries from now through early August.

The tribe says that the program is open to any family who qualifies, living within the Choctaw Nation, including non-native families or families from other tribes.

To qualify for Summer EBT, children must live within the Choctaw Nation and be at least one of the following: 

1. Enrolled in a participating school district in grades pre-K – 12 within the Choctaw Nation reservation and 
2. Receive free or reduced-cost meals at school. If the child(ren) were on the school’s list, they are automatically qualified and enrolled in the program. (If nothing has been received yet, verifying the mailing address with the program manager may be required.) 
3. Free and reduced-cost meal programs offered by schools operating Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) may have additional criteria to qualify. 
4. Enrolled in a charter school or homeschooled and have a household member receiving certain specific state or federal benefits. 
5. Enrolled in foster care system. 

The Tribe says more than 17,000 kids are already getting those summer benefits.

The Choctaw Nation says it's also offering grab-and-go meals at locations across its reservation to kids under 18.

The Tribe says that the program is also open to any child regardless of income or Tribal citizenship.

The Tribe says both initiatives help children and families across Southeast Oklahoma have access to nutritious meals during the summer when school is out.