Hunger: 200K Oklahoma children struggle to get food

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  • Hunger: 200K Oklahoma children struggle to get food
    Hunger: 200K Oklahoma children struggle to get food
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I will begin by asserting that all humans should have access to food.We know children do not learn well when they are hungry, and many studies show that childhood hunger can contribute to lifelong problems.

We also know that worrying about where that next meal might come from causes stress, anxiety, and depression in all people.

Hunger is something we should all care about, and actively work against through volunteering, donating, and advocacy for funds and services. Since the pandemic has started, we have seen a decrease in employment, which has resulted in a loss of income for many households. Along with lost income, we have seen an increase in food insecurity. Especially vulnerable are the elderly, people of color, the disabled, and single-parent households. This is not a matter in which we should shame anyone; it is a matter of caring for our community, our brothers and sisters.

What began as re search on getting help with food this week turned into sadness, fear, and then a call to helping our neighbors. Each article, each statistic I read reminded me of the reality so many people are facing: They are hungry. Their children are hungry. How can we help?

According to Feeding America, we were hungry before the pandemic; but now “...approximately 54 million people (1 in 6 people) may experience food insecurity in 2020, including 18 million children (1 in 4 children)” nationwide. Feeding America reports “In Oklahoma, 594,140 people are struggling with hunger — and of them 208,110 are children.” Additionally reported are these statistics: 1 in 7 Oklahomans struggles with hunger, 1 in 5 Oklahoma children struggles with hunger, and it would take nearly $291 million per year to meet the food needs of people facing hunger in Oklahoma. All of this information is available at feedingamerica.org

There are resources available. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) website, okdhslive.org, offers a dashboard and contact information to navigate the eligibility and application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as well as links to child care, Medicaid, and WIC (Women, Infants, Children) programs and more. At the bottom of that page, you will see a phone number to call if you are unable to access online services. Any time you contact DHS, it is wise to leave a message with your name, phone number, and case number (if you have one) so a caseworker can call you back.

Another resource is the 211Oklahoma.org website, or simply dial 2-1-1 for help finding resources you or someone you know might need.

Food banks are another good resource for getting help with food. The Regional Food Bank Resource page at https:// www.regionalfoodbank. org/get-help offers a list of resources and a food bank locator tool to help anyone with food insecurity find the help they need. The Regional Food Bank Page also lists your local food bank’s distribution schedule. Due to COVID-19, always call ahead to your food bank to find out whether their distribution schedule has changed.

Those affliated with any of Oklahoma’s Tribes can reach out to their tribe to see if there is assistance available for food and other resources.

“But, Sarah, most of this requires access to the internet!” Yes, it is incredibly frustrating and is a true barrier to gaining access to much needed resources for our most vulnerable populations. Consider asking your local library if you can use a guest pass for internet services. Ask a family member or friend familiar with navigating online if they can help, or see if you can access phone numbers for these resources.

Consider finding ways to safely check on neighbors and friends. Call and check in. Consider a “porch visit.” Ask if you can bring a meal, if they are eating enough, or if you can help them find help for themselves. Remember that needing help does not make you or anyone else a bad person, or a burden; rather, getting help and consuming those resources allows folks to be able to focus on other things, like raising their children, going to work, and moving forward from a very diffcult situation.

Another way to combat hunger is to donate and volunteer to local food banks.

Here in Cordell, our food bank is Sion Ministries, located at the Judah House in the old Puckett’s building. They are doing some wonderful work by helping the hungry in our community and may need donations or helping hands to continue that mission.

Remember to be kind to one another. It’s been a rough year. Help when you can, donate if you can, and always check on your neighbors.

Sarah Mears-Ivy brings 12 years of experience in the field of human sciences and advocacy.