Hunger Free Oklahoma

We are relieved that the USDA is complying with the court orders to do what Hunger free Oklahoma and many others have called for from the beginning, release contingency funds for November SNAP benefits immediately. While this never should have needed court intervention, we are pleased there will not be an appeal by the administration. That said, using only contingency funds means SNAP benefits will only partially be funded for November. The delay has already and will continue to cause unnecessary hardship for hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans who rely on these benefits to feed their families. Even with this decision, there will still be a delay in benefit issuance. In addition, the shortfall for November means that people will not receive their normal benefits and will be struggling shortly after benefits finally reach them. We urge everyone involved, federal and state level government to recognize the importance of bridging that gap for families and to continue finding solutions to fund SNAP for as long as the shutdown continues. Congress must act now to fund SNAP in full or reopen the government. For many Oklahoma families, every day of delay means impossible decisions of choosing feeding themselves and their families, or keeping the lights on, or paying rent. We can and must do better.

Two federal courts today ruled that USDA must tap into contingency funds to cover at least part of SNAP benefits for November amid the government shutdown. The Trump administration has until Monday, November 3, to respond. Though this could be promising news, it remains unclear at this time if/when November SNAP benefits will go out. Even if benefits are issued, that process takes at least a week, and often longer, so there is no immediate relief on the horizon.

Hunger Free Oklahoma applauds the Governor’s decision to provide funds to both Oklahoma food banks. Our nonprofit sector serves a crucial role in this time of crisis, and this funding will help mitigate some of the damage. However, this amount of relief does not begin to address the shortfall of a SNAP pause. SNAP brings more than $120 Million into the state to address food insecurity for more than 685,000 people EACH MONTH. It allows families to buy the food they need when they need it. It reaches people that may not be able to attend a food distribution event, cook food for themselves, or who face other barriers, while supporting local businesses and jobs in the food supply chain from farmers, transportation, and grocery stores. We need comprehensive government action to fund a solution that meets the scale of the problem and helps to support local businesses while feeding those struggling to make ends meet. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/geDFbvk7

We’re pausing our regular Friday Five today to keep you informed. The government shutdown situation is evolving fast—find the most up-to-date information on our website: https://lnkd.in/g2hxUfum

Urgent: Sign on to support SNAP and fight hunger in Oklahoma. As the federal government shutdown continues into its fourth week, the State of Oklahoma faces a dire crisis: the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 1, leaving nearly 685,000 Oklahomans without critical food assistance. Hunger Free Oklahoma is calling on all levels of government to act swiftly and decisively and are inviting other organizations to join the call. Join us to demand that our leaders take accountability and: ➡️Immediately release federal contingency funds to cover November SNAP benefits. ➡️Have Congress take action to end the shutdown and restore full funding for public services. ➡️Enact state-level emergency measures to ensure no Oklahoman goes hungry, including temporary state funding to address this crisis. Sign on to the letter and view our press release here: https://lnkd.in/gAUXgpBv

I have been surprised in my conversations lately that people don't understand the scale of SNAP and the impact that a disruption will have, so this is my attempt to put it in perspective again. SNAP provides more than $120 million in food aid per month to those who line in and near poverty JUST IN OKLAHOMA. $120 Million PER MONTH ($8-9 Billion total in the US per month). We are literally talking about 70% of the food safety net disappearing overnight, it has never happened before, ever. That is not something that can be solved by our churches, our food banks, or other nonprofits, in fact it is more than the annual budget of either Oklahoma food bank. The only solution to this unprecedented threat is action by the federal government. Either the USDA could tap the SNAP contingency funds and find some other money (which it currently says it will not), congress could reach a CR and temporarily fund the entire government, or they could act to just fund SNAP during the shutdown. Yes, we must support our local charities in this time, but it is not a solution, it is mitigating damage. We must demand action from the elected in DC! #SNAPmatters #governmentshutdown #EndHungerOK #FundSNAPNow

📣 SNAP Update! This weekend the USDA issued new guidance to states clarifying guidance on SNAP during the ongoing shutdown.

1. Unused benefits from October or earlier will remain available on cards into November.

2. States will not issue November SNAP until funds are made available.

Check back every Friday for advocacy updates from our team at Hunger Free Oklahoma! #FridayFive

The USDA has notified Oklahoma Human Services that federal funding for SNAP will be suspended starting November 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. While SNAP is impacted, Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) is not. You can: • Continue earning DUO rewards with your current SNAP benefits before October 31. • Spend DUO rewards for up to 60 days after earning them. • Stretch your food dollars on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating DUO locations statewide: https://lnkd.in/gvqpQ2a4 Hunger Free Oklahoma will continue to share updates and available food assistance options as information becomes available.

Only 58.3% of Oklahoma schools participate in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which allows eligible schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students without requiring families to fill out applications. This is significantly lower than the national average, where 84.7% of schools offer no-cost meals through CEP. CEP simplifies access to nutritious meals, reduces stigma, and helps ensure that children receive consistent, healthy food at school. Increasing Oklahoma’s CEP participation could dramatically reduce child hunger and support academic success for thousands of kids. Learn more from our recently released CEP report: https://lnkd.in/gcWvHP7t