Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt decided against taking the funding for the summer food program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He said he was wary of the government pushing “certain agenda items.” He claimed, “We just don’t know enough about the program” (Benjamin Lynch, newsweek.com/usda- kevin-stitt-oklahoma-summer-foodprogram).
Thus far, he has not revealed what those “certain agenda items” might be.
Hunger Free Oklahoma CEO Chris Bernard told NBC affiliate KJRH-TV that the decision was disappointing. “You’re going to see a lot of folks struggling who don’t need to…,” he said (Lynch).
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said the program offered to the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations would be accepted. He said Oklahoma’s decision was “bewildering” (Lynch).
A staggering number of 182,930 Oklahoma children under the age of eighteen experienced food insecurity in 2021 (map.feedingamerica.org/county/ 2021/child/Oklahoma).
During my teaching career, I saw many children who were not getting the nutrition they needed. One boy I remember was home alone when his single-parent mother left for weeks at a time. His only meal was his free school lunch. Summers meant knocking on doors and asking for something to eat.
Educators also see “sofa surfers,“ meaning kids who must find places to stay. Teachers know of dysfunctional homes where poverty, neglect, and “ghosties and goblins and things that go bump in the night” are all too real. These difficult circumstances contribute to children’s not having enough to eat.
In its report on food insecurity, the Feeding America Organization’s Program Director, Christina Martinez, said that hunger impacts a child’s school performance. Children from homes that lack consistent access to food are more likely to experience developmental impairments in areas like language, motor skills, and behavior (map).
Ms. Martinez further stated, “Children need nutrients so they can grow, develop, and focus on learning instead of thinking about the food they need. Ultimately, they need to be able to concentrate in the classroom so they can succeed in school” (map).
Getting sufficient food is important for children during the school year. In my view, having enough during the summer months also helps them when school resumes.
It appears shortsighted for Governor Stitt to prevent children from getting enough to eat. This has the long-range effect of their being less prepared to have good-paying jobs when they reach adulthood. Money spent now to help children grow and develop can pay dividends many times greater in the future.
If I were one of those 182,930 hungry Oklahoma children, I would say, “Governor Stitt, I cannot hear your platitudes about agenda items because my stomach is growling too loud!”
Being a hungry child is not a sin. Neglecting a hungry child is.