Advocates gather to help end hunger across Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Dozens of advocates gathered on Thursday to push for policies to help end hunger across the state.
'I think what we see is a crisis on the horizon if we don't take the right steps and protect what we already have in place,' said Chris Bernard, the CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma.
This effort comes as Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the hungriest states in the country.
According to the U.S. The Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma is the sixth hungriest state in the nation and approximately 686,000 Oklahomans received food assistance in 2024.
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Carrie Vesley Henderson sees the problem first hand every day. She's the Executive Director of Iron Gate Tulsa, a soup kitchen and food pantry.
'We're seeing more people than we have in the past,' said Vesely Henderson. 'I think the economy is driving a lot of that. I think there's a lot of uncertainty.'
There are a number of hunger-related bills on the table this session the advocates are asking lawmakers to pass.
HB 1111: Requires Oklahoma Human Services to fully implement the Elderly and Disabled Simplified Application Process. This program reduces bureaucracy for older adults and people with certain disabilities when they apply for, and recertify for, SNAP benefits.
HB 1575: Requires the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to explore creating a streamlined, unified benefits application for multiple benefits programs.
SB 190: Reauthorizes the option to donate a tax refund to a food bank.
SB 806: Creates the Food is Medicine Act, to direct the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek coverage for nutrition supports using the Medicaid program. The measure also directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to schools for Farm to School grants.
'Overall, it's about making sure that we support the whole system,' said Bernard. 'So, that means making sure that programs like SNAP and school meals are protected and that we maximize what we can do with them as a state to support people who need access to them.'
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