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commentary
August 15, 2024
Fighting childhood hunger should be a top priority for all levels of government
By JOE DORMAN OICACEO

OKLAHOMA CITY – As a number of school districts move to make meals free for students, now is a perfect time to address the larger issue of childhood hunger.

The facts show childhood hunger is a real problem across Oklahoma, and we at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) applaud the

school districts stepping up to fight it with free meals for all students.

This positive move by some districts puts into specific relief the issue of summertime child hunger when most schools do not offer meals. One answer is Summer EBT, which Oklahoma turned down for this last summer.

The deadline for Oklahoma to sign up for Summer 2025 EBT funding is this very Thursday, August 15. This would bring back from Washington about $48 million of our federal tax dollars direct to families to help feed hungry children. Hunger Free Oklahoma reports Oklahoma has about 403,000 children eligible to receive the Summer EBT benefit.

Now, some school districts and nonprofits are able to provide summer lunches. However, only 4.3 out of every 100 eligible children in Oklahoma participated in Summer Meals programs in 2023. This is because most schools do not operate their cafeterias during those months and the nonprofit sector is simply not able to reach these children, especially in the rural areas.

That is why the Summer EBT benefit is so important. Our neighboring state of Arkansas accepted the money for this year. Alabama, who – like Oklahoma turned down the money in 2024 has already accepted the funding for 2025.

We encourage Oklahoma leaders to follow suit and join in with this program to help feed hungry children in our state.

Another feeding program, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), is an alternative to household applications for free and reduced-price meals in local educational agencies and schools in high-poverty areas. A new guideline implemented last September expanded the number of districts that can apply for funds to provide free meals.

Unfortunately, not all Oklahoma school districts that qualify will seek this support for their students. You can go to https://tinyurl.

https://ti- com/CEPSpread-Sheet to see if your school district qualifies and if they currently operate this program. While it is too late for this current school year, the deadline to apply for next year is April 1, so school boards and administrators should start reviewing this now.

CEP – and all models for providing healthy school meals for all at no cost – is often a winwin for schools, kids, families, and communities, providing many benefits, including:

• Lowering food costs for families.

• Increasing food and nutrition security.

• Eliminating school meal debt.

• Increasing student participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.

• Saving time by simplifying program operations for hardworking school nutrition staff.

Eligible schools and local education agencies must consider their ability to provide meals at no cost and cover their operating costs with this federal assistance and any other available funds, including state and/or local funds, if available.

Additionally, the federal Agriculture Department (USDA) supports expanded access to healthy school meals by offering extensive financial support for schools.

Even so, it is not enough. The Summer EBT, pumping $48 million dollars into families’ pockets and local economies across the state, is the best step to ensure many of Oklahoma’s children do not needlessly suffer from the pain of hunger.

We at OICA implore the state leaders to accept the return of our tax dollars for children’s meals and ask each of you to reach out to school leaders in your communities and state policymakers to ensure we do everything possible to ease childhood hunger.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
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The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
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When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
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At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
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The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
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Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
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Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
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In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
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Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
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Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
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Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
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Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
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LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
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The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
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