Newsroom
When Hunger Ends, Learning Begins
Nov. 12, 2009
Lincoln County, Okla. – Despite the uncertainty faced by many impoverished children living with food insecurity, many elementary school students find a continuous source of hope each weekend in a backpack full of food provided by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's Food 4 Kids program.
In Lincoln County, 159 chronically hungry children, identified by school personnel at three elementary schools (Meeker Elementary in Meeker, Parkview Elementary in Stroud and Park Road Elementary in Chandler), receive a backpack filled with nutritious, kid-friendly food to take home on weekends and holidays throughout the school year. Before receiving help from the program, many children ate very little or nothing between school lunch on Friday and school breakfast on Monday.
The Regional Food Bank has offered the program to all ten elementary schools in the county. Thus far, four schools have signed up; one is on a waitlist; and five others are not yet participating. The Regional Food Bank estimates there are an additional 130 chronically hungry children who could benefit from the Food 4 Kids program if every school in the county participated.
"This program can make a huge difference in the lives of children in Lincoln County," said Mr. Robert Crum with the First Christian Church in Chandler. "I would like to see all schools in the county enrolled in the program so that every child has a healthy start on their education." The First Christian Church in Chandler made a financial contribution to the Regional Food Bank's Food 4 Kids program for the sole purpose of expanding the program throughout Lincoln County.
Nearly 8,000 elementary school children in 264 schools in 38 counties in central and western Oklahoma received Food 4 Kids backpacks from the Regional Food Bank during the 2008-2009 school year. Many teachers and administrators have reported that students' academic performance, attendance and self-esteem have improved as a result of participating in the program.
"The food is helping our little ones through the weekends when we, as teachers, worry about them the most ," one Food 4 Kids coordinator said. "I feel relieved, knowing that on Friday, as they carry their food home, they will not go hungry for two days. These children are really being touched by these donations."
The continued support of the community helps keep the program solidly in place and ensures chronically hungry children receive the food they need.
"I encourage residents to donate to Food 4 Kids in Lincoln County," said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. "A $200 donation supplies one child with a backpack full of food every weekend for an entire school year. Not only does it provide a child with nourishment, it provides him or her with hope for the future."
To find out more about the Regional Food Bank's Food 4 Kids program, or to make a donation, visit our website or call 405-972-1111.
