Regional Food Bank prepares for anticipated teacher walkout in Ponca City

The Regional Food Bank is committed to supporting the nutritional needs of students in Ponca City.  The nonprofit is working on a coordinated response to provide food assistance to families with school-age and school personnel children during the anticipated teacher walkout starting on April 2.

“In anticipation of school closures, we are collaborating with communities across central and western Oklahoma in areas where school nutrition services will not be able to fill in the gap for impacted families with school-age students and school personnel,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank.  “This week, our volunteers are preparing and packing meals in preparation for the walkout.  Select partners, like New Emergency Resource Agency, are also preparing to expand their service hours and food availability starting April 2 to meet the potential increase in need for food assistance.”

In Ponca City, families with school-age children (verification is required) can receive food at New Emergency Resource Agency.  For hours of operation and location, call (580) 765-5372.

For verification, bring the child or children to NERA, or provide one of the following items: birth certificate or adoption record; class list with the child’s name; a copy of school records; current progress report; current report card; dated school photo; electronic record; identification card; immunization records; shot record; or student ID.

“I want to thank our partners, volunteers, donors and the community for helping us support our students to ensure children will have enough to eat should school closures occur,” said Fitzgerald.

Impacted school personnel in need of food assistance can visit regionalfoodbank.org/gethelp or call (405) 972-1111 to find a pantry in their community.

Volunteers are needed in Ponca City to assist with distributing food during the walkout. For more information contact NERA at (580) 765-5372.

To make a donation to support food assistance for Oklahoma families with school-age children and impacted school staff during the anticipated teacher walkout and beyond, visit regionalfoodbank.org/supportstudents.  If schools do not close, or after the food assistance needs of students and families impacted by the walkout are met, donations will be used to support existing Food for Kids Programs, which serve nearly 44,000 Oklahoma children each year.