By Meghan McCormick

Transcript Staff Writer

More than 500,000 people living in Oklahoma are at risk of going hungry. One out of five is a child, according to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Shelley Haley, spokesperson for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, said four years ago, educators brought to the group’s attention that a number of elementary students have nothing to eat from Friday evening until they arrive at school Monday morning for breakfast.

Haley said the food bank decided to take the initiative and establish Food 4 Kids, a program that provides chronically hungry children with nutritious food.

“It started as a pilot program in five schools serving 180 children,” she said.

Haley explained how the program operates. Each week, food bank volunteers pack non-perishable items into boxes that are then distributed to elementary schools. Once the packages arrive at the school site, the school coordinator places the food into the backpacks for children to pickup every Friday. Students bring the backpacks back to school on Monday to be re-filled.

At the end of last school year, Food 4 Kids was in 182 schools in 29 counties in central and western Oklahoma.

“We provided backpacks to more than 5,600 elementary students,” she said.

Haley said the food distributed to children doesn’t require cooking or refrigeration. Students also are able to receive food packages to cover school holidays.

She said Food 4 Kids takes one stress away from children.

“The kids focus on learning rather than where their next meal is gong to come from,” she said.

She said all food items for Food 4 Kids are paid for by donations. A cost of $135 will provide a backpack for the entire school year.

In the Norman area, Food 4 Kids reaches children in Norman, Moore and Little Axe school districts, Haley said. Norman Public Schools has 12 elementary schools included in the program.

At the end of 2006-2007 school year, 342 children in Cleveland County received nutrition thanks to the Regional Food Bank, Haley said. About 30 schools are on a waiting list.

Denise Newburn serves as an in-house school detention teacher at Little Axe Elementary School. She praised Food 4 Kids for helping chronically hungry children.

“We have about 65 bags that go out a week and that serves about 45 families because most families have multiple children,” Newburn said.

In 2006, about 44 bags of food were handed out to Little Axe students, she said. Children are able to take extra packages of food home to feed younger siblings.

Newburn said she’s noticed that students who receive food gifts have increased social skills and study better.

“I see increased confidence,” she said.

Amber Bui, a counselor at Eisenhower Elementary, said 25 students are enrolled in the food program. She expects the number to increase to 40 by the end of the school year.

“I’ve had lots of parents just tell me how grateful they are,” Bui said. “The kids are so excited.”

The counselor said each Wednesday, students ask her about the food that will be included in the packages.

Bui said she views the program as a way to support families who need help.

“The school is able to comfort the parent and kids over the weekend,” she said. “The kids know they’re loved and cared for not only at home but school.”

Bui said she’s witnessed an improvement in behavior and grades for those students who are given additional food.

“The more you can give some of these kids, the better it makes them feel and the better they are in school,” she said.

Meghan McCormick

366-3539

mmccormick@normantranscript.com