OKLAHOMA CITY (July 9, 2024) – Following a statewide grant application announcement in September 2023, Oklahoma Human Services is proud to announce more than $20.6 million in grant awards to more than 150 food programs across the state.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Oklahoma Legislature and Governor for this funding, which will allow us to help our neighbors meet their most basic, but critical needs with access to healthy, affordable food," said Dr. Deborah Shropshire, Oklahoma Human Services Director. "Food insecurity is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, particularly for children and elders, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help community organizations provide the extra food support needed by so many Oklahomans."
Funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) dollars, Oklahoma Human Services’ Food Insecurity Grant was designed to support the availability of and access to affordable and nutritious foods across Oklahoma in areas that have been negatively and/or disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally appropriated $12.5 million through Senate Bill 1186 in 2023, an additional $8 million was added through Senate Bill 1192 in 2024 to increase the value of payments to eligible organizations and make an even deeper impact on food insecurity in the state.
“I’m proud the Legislature's deliberate and thorough distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds helped nonprofit organizations across the state address food insecurity in Oklahoma,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry. “Setting aside additional funding for Oklahoma Human Services’ Food Insecurity Grants was a no-brainer after seeing the demand from providers who work every day to keep Oklahomans from going hungry.”
"Food insecurity is unfortunately still a very real problem that thousands of Oklahomans face, but this funding represents a huge step forward to providing crucial support and promoting long-term solutions," said Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa. "We must all work together to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food and nobody in Oklahoma goes hungry."
Following a tremendous response in grant applications, nearly 170 organizations requested more than $40 million in grant awards. Final award amounts to the more than 150 food programs who met minimum grant requirements ranged from nearly $750 to over $4 million. Organizations who requested $250,000 and less were fully funded. Applications were evaluated and final award amounts were determined based on upon the specific needs of the applying organizations and evaluation criteria listed in the application including:
- Areas with limited access to healthy, nutritious foods and/or areas with low to moderate income and large populations of older individuals or those experiencing disabilities;
- geographic diversity;
- other federal or state funding sources available to applicants;
- measurability of the funding’s impact on the community; and
- compliance with the provisions of the ARPA and Legislative intent.
It has been estimated that more than 500,000 Oklahomans are experiencing food insecurity, and of these, nearly 200,000 are children. These one-time grants will support the work of food pantries, non-profits, churches and other organizations by expanding their capacity to reach more Oklahomans through physical improvements or purchasing equipment to increase distribution and/or storage of food.
“When individuals have access to enough food, including healthy, nutritious foods, it reduces stress on other areas of their lives,” said Deborah Smith, Oklahoma Human Services Director of Adult and Family Services. “Working together, we can eradicate food insecurity and create opportunities for our neighbors to not only survive, but to thrive. We are proud to support these organizations as they serve even more people in their communities.”
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