TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture report that Oklahoma’s food insecurity rates are higher than the national average and Feeding America reports that over 20,000 children are experiencing food insecurity here in Tulsa County.

“One in five children go to bed hungry. Imagine just five kids and one of those children is gonna go to bed hungry today,” said School Pantry Coordinator, Homar Vicencio.

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma offers programs at schools for students who may be struggling with food insecurity at home.

“The pantry program establishes a pantry on site where students can access free products at no cost and also they can take it home with them and feed the whole family,” said Vicencio.

Along with the School Pantry Program, the food bank also provides other programs that schools, students, and families can utilize.

“We also have the backpack program that provides a sack of snacks to students here in Tulsa County. We also have the farmers market program that we go to sites, and we provide fresh produce to the individuals picking up their kids and their students,” said Vicencio.

Officials at Morris Public Schools took the food insecurity issue into their own hands by applying for a program that provides a third meal for students.

“This is just one more option for these kids that really, we have so many of them I think that rely on what the school provides them as far as breakfast and lunch and now we’re able to provide them with a third meal,” said Superintendent of Morris Public Schools, Chris Karch.

Schools with 50% or more of students on free and reduced lunches are eligible.

Karch urges schools to reach out to the State Department of Education if they are interested in participating.

“I believe that every school in Oklahoma has kids that could benefit from this program,” said Karch.

For more information on how you can get involved to help reduce food insecurity visit the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma online.