Oklahoma Human Services Partners with Food Banks to Provide Resources During Federal Government Shutdown

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 8, 2025) - Oklahoma Human Services is partnering with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to offer limited emergency food boxes for eligible SNAP participants in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties who have been affected by the federal government shutdown. Funding for the food boxes was made possible thanks to Gov. Kevin Stitt, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kyle Hilbert, and Senate President Pro Tempore, Lonnie Paxton, whose combined support was instrumental in approving $1 million per week for statewide food assistance to Oklahoma’s regional food banks.

These resources are available to households who have at least one of the following:

·       A child under age 18 

·       An elderly household member (age 60 or older) 

·       A household member determined disabled by the Social Security Administration 

To request an emergency food box, individuals should visit okdhs.org/shutdown. Once there, click on ‘How do I get a referral to a food bank?’ to access and complete the short Referral Form.

The OKDHS team will confirm eligibility and share information with the food banks. Food boxes for SNAP recipients in the 53 counties served by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma will be mailed to those who qualify. The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma will reach out to those who qualify for food boxes in the 24 counties that are served by the organization to arrange for food box distribution.

Each emergency food box typically contains shelf-stable items, such as canned proteins, vegetables, grains and snacks. Supplies are limited.

Oklahoma Human Services continues to work diligently to serve Oklahoma families and vulnerable populations. For the latest information and helpful resources, please visit okdhs.org/shutdown.

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