Hunger in Ponca City

If anyone has a good idea of hunger in Ponca City it’s Jeff Denton, Director of Child Nutrition.

Denton said with his position he gets statistics on families in order to provide free or reduced lunches.

He said Ponca City has sat at around 67 percent poverty for the past 15 years, which is average.

“What I see when I am out there is I see a lot of hunger going on during the weekend, because a lot of students come in for breakfast on Monday mornings, especially our elementary students, and they are just starved for breakfast," Denton said.

Denton said it wasn’t like this 23 years ago.

The demographics of Ponca City are different, there are less dual parent households and less jobs

Denton said kids aren’t necessarily not eating at home, they aren’t eating the right thing.

“I am a strong believer in personal responsibility and when the government gives a blank check or money to spend on groceries sometimes the best choices aren’t made,” Denton said.

He said cheap food typically doesn’t contain the minerals or vitamins our bodies need.

Denton is partnering with the Ponca City Leadership class to advocate Hunger and the Ponca City Mission.

He will be a judge at the leadership class’s, Burger Cook-off to Off Hunger Saturday.

The proceeds of the cook-off will help the mission continue to provide balanced meals to families in need.