Sept. 26, 2023 – A grant from the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation will help fund the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s School Pantry Program at six Carter County schools this year.
The School Pantry Program provides chronically hungry middle and high school students with food to sustain them after school and over the weekends and school holidays. The School Pantry Program is located at the following Carter County schools:
- Ardmore High School
- Ardmore Middle School
- Healdton High School
- Lone Grove High School
- Lone Grove Middle School
- Springer Public Schools
“Having pantries located on school grounds makes it so much easier for students to access nutritious foods necessary for them to thrive, grow and learn,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so grateful to the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation and their trustees for this generous grant that will make a positive impact in the lives of thousands of Carter County students.”
A Carter County School Pantry Program coordinator says the program has helped provide food to several unaccompanied homeless youth.
“The extra food for them over the weekends and breaks has helped to prevent food insecurity and encouraged them to stay in school as opposed to quitting and working to support their food needs.”
