School districts combat student hunger ahead of SNAP benefit freeze

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The possible end of SNAP benefits is just days away, and school districts are preparing for an increased need for food assistance for students.

"We know that we have to meet our students' primary needs, and food is one of those things," said AJ Graffeo, the Public Information Officer for Putnam City Schools.

Putnam City Schools already offers free breakfast and lunch for students in addition to that and other food programs, Graffeo says keeping their on site food pantries stocked is one of the districts top priorities.

"We have a lot of these things in place already. We're just making sure that they're robust and ready to handle maybe an increased need at this time," said Graffeo. “We have several safeguards and resources in place that we have sent out to all of our families and staff to ensure that our students needs are met."

Over at Norman Public Schools, we are seeing something similar taking place.

"Sometimes the first place people turn to is their school. When they turn to us, we can do what we can, and then we can also ask for help from others," said Norman Public Schools Family Engagement Coordinator, Carla Atkinson.

Atkinson explained, about 50% of students at Norman Public Schools benefit from free and reduced lunch. As the possible SNAP suspension looms, the district is leaning on partnerships to ensure students stay fed.

"United Way, for example, has stepped up and started a food drive in addition to their ongoing campaign that they're having right now," Atkinson said. "We have the Beacon Project, which is just over a few blocks away from here, and they feed our high school youth in our public schools."

Since it's unclear how long SNAP benefits will be suspended, both districts say they are prepared to continue to find ways to feed their students.

"Our plan is to continue to take care of our students and our families in every way that we can for as long as we need to," said Atkinson.