Opting out of federal summer food program bad decision for Oklahoma children, readers say

We asked readers to share their thoughts on Oklahoma's decision to opt out of a new federal summer food program for children. Gov. Kevin Stitt's office cited uncertainty about how the federal government would administer the program as the reason.

The program would have provided $40 per month via Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to children who receive free or reduced-price school meals, similar to a recently expired pandemic-era program.

More: Fourth Oklahoma tribe offering food assistance for children after state opts out

Here are your responses:

Summer food program does nothing for the wealthy Oklahoma families

In a rare moment of accidental honesty, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt clearly indicated his intention to apply for an income tax credit thru Oklahoma’s newly minted Parental Choice Tax Credit program. This planned action was despite the fact that Mr. Stitt is fairly well off (as evidenced by self-funding his two Oklahoma gubernatorial campaigns to the tune of at least $6 million). It should be noted that shortly after stating his intention to apply for an the income tax credit that the governor had a change of mind and decided that he would not seek the credit.

Now while the governor did not pursue the income tax credit, preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 55 percent of program applicants were similar to him in that they are in the upper income brackets for our fair state. To me, this indicates that the program is working exactly as it was intended to work — as a tax break for the folks that need it the least ― the upper income families.

It is in this light that we can begin to comprehend the governor’s rationale for opting out of the new federal summer food program for children. This particular program seems to take aim at providing relief to some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable families — those facing food insecurity. As there does not seem to be any direct, tangible benefits for our state’s upper income families, there is no interest from our governor in this program.

Simply stated, the new federal summer food program does not benefit the wealthy, so, our "state leadership" — and I use the term very loosely — has no interest in it.

— Kirk Alan Jones, Edmond

Where are our state's priorities?

I have expressed disappointment through social media. Denying families who need help in feeding their children is about as low as one can go! We as a state can't profess to be "pro-life" for several reasons, hoping we will consider abolishing the death penalty, but now hoping we can override our governor and provide food for the hungry! After all, the Lord does say, "When you do it for the least you do unto Me." Where are our priorities? If we do not invest in our children, we do not have a future!

— Sister Veronica Higgins, Oklahoma City

More experiencing food insecurity

This is a stupid decision. Apparently, the governor’s misguided logic is there is a cost to the state to administer this program (about 10% of the free federal food cost). The Food Bank reports more Oklahomans are experiencing food insecurity than even before COVID. Let’s pay the 10 percent and feed MORE children. The governor claims to be a Christian. What could be more Christian than feeding ANY hungry child?

— Mike "Chip" Morgan, Oklahoma City

At a loss to understand decision

The excuse Gov. Kevin Stitt and his office made as to why they opted out of the summer food program is weak, lame, sad and confusing. Surely they could have figured out how it would be managed. Surely they have the staff and resources to get answers. Surely they are not in favor of children going without food. Surely some of them are caring and compassionate adults. I am at a loss to understand a decision like this. And I am saddened and angry. I know there are other organizations that plan to step up but how embarrassing that the governor of Oklahoma did this. He does NOT represent many in this great state.

— Susan Prescott, Nichols Hills

Protect, invest in our children

An internet search refutes Gov. Kevin Stitt’s statement “… we are satisfied that kids won’t be going hungry in the summertime…” He is justifying his heartless refusal to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new debit card program that would have distributed $40 per month per qualifying child so families wouldn’t have to leave work to drive children to meal sites in the summer.

The federal government would have funded the benefits. Oklahoma would have paid only half of the cost of running the program, but Gov. Stitt said no because of his political opposition to imaginary federal government intervention. That means federal tax dollars we Oklahomans have paid will go to feed hungry kids in other states instead.

U.S. News and World Report’s August 2023 article “States with the Highest Rates of Food Scarcity” ranks Oklahoma second in the nation with 19.4 percent of Oklahoma adults living in households where there was “sometimes or often not enough to eat in the last 7 days,” based on responses to the U.S. Census Bureau from June 28 to July 10, 2023.

How did this happen? During the pandemic in 2020, the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act expanded SNAP benefits, but Congress ended those benefits in March 2023. This left Oklahoma families struggling to feed hungry kids with food costs rising and funding they counted on suddenly no longer available. The problem is worse when families live in rural areas without access to meal sites or they lack reliable transportation to travel to locations where food is dispensed.

Our Oklahoma kids should not go hungry so our governor can make a political point. We must protect and invest in our children in the early stages of life. They are our future and deserve an equal opportunity to grow up with the opportunity to succeed, especially when their families struggle financially.

— Redmond “Red” Goldfarb, Bethany

Have you ever wondered where your next meal would come from?

Gov. Kevin Stitt has canceled the program that would give the poor a food allowance this summer, with part of it to be paid by the federal government. Those who favor this cut probably never had to wonder where their next meal was coming from! One argument given for cutting the program is that many Oklahoma children are obese!

I’m not an authority on this program, but I do know what hunger is! I grew up in a family in which my father had a fourth-grade education and my mother had a fifth-grade education. My dad always worked at common-labor jobs and we barely survived, especially when Dad was out of work. We sometimes relied on what was then called “commodities,” distributed to those who could show their need.

Some would argue that if my parents had stayed in school, they could have given their children a better life. My brothers and sister and I had nothing to do with our parents’ education! My mother dropped out of school to help take care of her two brothers and a sister after their parents died in an epidemic. I don’t know why my dad dropped out, but that is irrelevant in the discussion of helping poor people put food on the table.

The food program, as any other program, should be administered with safeguards to make sure it isn’t abused.

— Ed Koonce, Mustang

More comments

The governor has once again put his personal political beliefs ahead of the needs of Oklahoma's children. He is so afraid that Democrats might get credit for something even though it would help hungry kids. No excuse for this. We all pay into the federal tax system and this would give some of that money back to Oklahoma while feeding hungry children.

— Dennis English, Oklahoma City

I think this is a very poor and unfortunate decision. It is clear Stitt has never struggled nor anyone in his family. He stated that anyone who would be eligible for this program already qualifies for SNAP, which is not true. Many are over income to qualify for food stamps, as they set the income limit so low for qualification. This is a program for the people. And it is being unfairly denied by someone who can't relate to struggles.

— Brijett Horton, Seminole

I support the federal program. I know that there are many hungry children in this state. I have not seen all the information on the particulars of the program but I feel like the governor is using this as a political tool, not for his interest in how the program is going to be carried out. I am a Democrat. But children have no political ideals, they are just hungry and their parents may need help feeding them. If every life is sacred, don't we need to encourage their health with good nutrition?

— Kathy English, Oklahoma City

It is unconscionable that Governor Stitt would refuse money that would go to help feed children whose families most need that help. What has happened to the Oklahoma Standard? Or does that apply only in disasters and not in the everyday?

— Myrna Ranney, Edmond

Governor Stitt's decision is absurd. He claims to be a Christian. What is more fundamental than feeding hungry children. The food bank reports MORE Oklahomans are in need than before COVID. Apparently, Stitt’s misguided logic for this stupid decision is that there is a cost to Oklahoma to administer this federal food program. If so, let’s pay the fee (10 percent of the free food cost) and feed ANY child who is food insecure.

— Michael Morgan, Oklahoma City

Governor Stitt’s decision to opt out of the new federal summer food program is short-sighted and ill-advised. I’m particularly concerned about his opinion that current programs in place are enough. As the now-retired CEO of Positive Tomorrows, an organization working with homeless families, I’ve seen how well current programs work.

During my time there, we often rejected summer food provided through current government programs because it was highly processed, sometimes frozen, not fresh, and not adequate for older children. Instead, we’d use donor dollars to provide adequate food. This new program would have provided funds for parents to purchase fresh, better quality food. I’ve seen children who come to school hungry because of missed meals at night or over the weekends. I’ve seen children who have never eaten a carrot. I’ve seen children whose growth is stunted due to malnutrition due to lack of food or who are greatly overweight because they depend upon cheap calories offered by fast food outlets. Our state needs all the help it can get in preparing for the future by feeding our little ones today.

— Susan Agel, Oklahoma City

I am extremely disappointed that Oklahoma opted out of the Federal EBT Summer Food program for children. The Oklahoma Policy Institute reports that Oklahoma ranks 40th nationally in child well-being and in the bottom half of nearly all the health and well-being metrics included in state rankings in the 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. They urge policymakers to prioritize meeting kids’ basic needs. Youth who grow up in poverty are two to three times more likely to develop mental health conditions than their peers. Children need a solid foundation of nutritious food, stable housing and safe neighborhoods — and their families need financial stability — to foster positive mental health and wellness. Oklahoma’s decision to opt out of this summer food program for impoverished children baffles and saddens me. I am heartened that the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations opted in and will be covering a significant portion of both tribal and non-tribal citizens.

— Linda Neikirk, Norman

It is inexplicable that Gov. Stitt would decline a food-for-kids program. Was he afraid the program might give good publicity to President Biden?

— Nathaniel Batchelder, Oklahoma City

Then he needs to sit down with the federal government and see what they have in mind. Where is the humanity in this state government? No one talks anymore to find solutions for people, especially children that need care and food. Stitt needs to visit with school counselors for suggestions and then present those. They will know how badly the children need food. Stop playing politics and start working with politicians.

— Jennifer Weinland, Oklahoma City

I think this is another political cut off your nose to spite your face ― just like not expanding Medicaid. It makes no sense to refuse federal support to address a well documented problem. They would receive $40 million. My understanding is it would cost the state 10%. Any way you look at this it should be approved.

— Michael Smolen, Stillwater

I am always in favor of making sure children are fed. I am not sure that giving a $40 EBT card to each child would make a difference.

— Lois White, Edmond

It makes no sense that Governor Stitt has declined this resource. It seems like a no-brainer to me — why not get all the help we can to help feed our state's children?

— Deanna Fleck, Edmond

Awful. No child should go hungry.

— Caroline Dykstra, Oklahoma City

Very disappointing. There is nothing more important than feeding our children.

— Stacy Dykstra, Oklahoma City

With one in five Oklahoma children living with food uncertainty, I think it is unconscionable for our governor to opt out of the EBT program for summer food for children. I cannot imagine what his reasoning is, other than a total lack of understanding of his constituents or just total uncaring. I did hear that he claims that his plan to cut state income taxes would take care of the children's lack of food. As a CPA and former IRS agent, I can attest that the children's families who would receive the free lunch program pay little or no state income tax. Totally ignorant on the governor's part. Perhaps he misunderstood that this is FREE money from the federal government.

— Judith Hill, Norman

Having worked for 19 years in an elementary school where 100% of the students received free lunch, I can attest that this is a program that is needed. Just because we don’t have all the details yet isn’t a good reason to let kids go hungry. I sincerely hope they reconsider their decision and do participate. Oklahoma needs to take care of our kids.

— Jeanne Fields, Oklahoma City

This is a terrible choice which will increase childhood hunger. How could it have been rationally made?

— Daniel Snell, Norman

Oklahoma children have a high rate of food insecurity so we should definitely sign up for this program.

— Denna Holmes, Oklahoma City

A very short-sighted decision as usual. Success in school would increase if children had enough to eat. This program would have helped many children, especially in rural areas.

— Karen Gregory, Oklahoma City

There is no reason for any Oklahoma child to go hungry.

— Sue Putman, Edmond

According to Oklahoma’s governor, the Electronic Benefits Transfer program is the brainchild of the Biden administration which believes feeding undernourished children is a good idea. Thanks to Governor Stitt’s refusal to accept EBT funds, Oklahoma’s hungry children won’t have any of that WOKE, liberal food going from their stomachs to their brains. It’s better for Oklahoma kids to go hungry than for them to be indoctrinated with a liberal agenda in the guise of a banana, right, Governor?

— Susan Munde Harding, Bethany

I think this is wrong and mean spirited. Gov. Stitt is pandering to his base implying that if he accepts federal dollars there are ideological strings attached. Does he really think people are that stupid? He needs to come to some of the rural areas to see the poverty. Children shouldn’t go hungry in this day and age. This was the wrong decision.

— Jean Rickelman, Stillwater

It's the wrong decision. We have too many hungry children and adults in this state. Income hasn't kept up with costs.

— Susan Ward, Oklahoma City

The Ten Commandments hanging in ALL classrooms but no food for kids? It seems as though “cruel” is the intention. OKLAHOMA IS NOT OK.

— Cathy Thompson, Shawnee

Disgusting! It makes it even clearer that Stitt doesn't care about Oklahoma's poor & working class families. Despite his protestations that he's “satisfied” with the food services already available here to help kids. Of course, his kids won't go hungry & that seems like the extent to which he's capable of mustering concern — despite the fact that around 20% of Oklahoma children currently are experiencing food insecurity. And, while I'm sure $120 over 3 months sounds insignificant to those who've never experienced raising a family while poverty-stricken, that $120 can mean the difference between feeding your family without sinking even further into crushing debt.

— Cristi Richardville-White Eagle, Tulsa

This is all federal money, isn't it? So why does Stitt care about how the Feds administer it. He needs to be specific about the administrative problems and their negative impact on the state. Otherwise, I think it is outrageous that Oklahoma/Stitt would deny Oklahoma children this benefit! I'd like to know what other states are opting out of the program.

— Dick Howard, Edmond

Unbelievable. We have a very high number of children who go hungry. Why would we refuse this opportunity to assist. My heart hurts!

— Sherry Worster, Norman

You know, I couldn't be any more sick of Stitt & Walters. This was the last straw. You want children to go hungry even with the feds paying for this program? The most basic question is why do you repubs hate children? You're in the wrong line of work.

— John Fricke, Broken Arrow

It is appalling that we can give education money to private and religious institutions but we can’t accept federal funds to feed children! Children living in poverty without basic life necessities do poorly in school. The governor only panders to those who make campaign donations. Senator Mullin wants to eliminate funding for the SNAP program but he had no problem taking millions of pandemic relief funds. These actions are inhumane! Why would people vote for these rich Republicans when it’s obvious they will do nothing to assist low income and middle class citizens?

— Patsy West, Ada

Oklahoma has the greatest need, and our politicians have the greatest ignorance and lack of compassion for children after they're born. It's disgusting.

— Crystal Cruz, Norman

Governor Stitt’s decision reeks of class warfare. His “let them eat cake” attitude towards the very children he serves is appalling and sad. John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie are rolling over in their graves.

— Cliff Higgs, Oklahoma City

To take food out of children’s mouths is incredibly short-sighted. Political games that leave children hungry. There is a cure, though.

— Jo Hogan, Choctaw

Bad for Oklahoma taxpayers. When I send Washington $2 in taxes, I'd like to believe that Oklahoma will get back at least $1 in the form of services we need, like SNAP benefits. The governor's action doesn't solidify that belief.

— John Doyle, Oklahoma City

How selfish. I am ashamed of our leaders in this state. We cannot expect them to know what it’s like for your child to go to bed hungry. Shame on all of them. God don’t sleep and these are His Children.

— Tammy Billabong, Drummond

What is the hidden agenda he’s afraid of? Will there be some sort of indoctrination on the cereal boxes? This man is ridiculous!

— Diana Nolan, Stillwater

Hungry students have less energy, are more likely to repeat a grade, have lower test scores, are more easily distracted and miss school more often than Gov. Stitt's well-fed children. "They have no meals? Let them eat cake." How shameful to take a necessity away from folks who have so little.

— Mary Diacon, Tulsa

There is something tragically wrong with elected leaders in our state refusing to use our federal tax dollars to feed hungry children. Children who are hungry and deprived grow up to be adults with less opportunity for success in employment and quality of life. As a result, they are more likely to need government services and assistance and less able to take care of their own children, which contributes to a vicious cycle of suffering and crisis. Shame on Governor Stitt!

— Jackie Gaston, Yukon

Let's feed our kids even if it is with federal dollars. Americans should join forces to provide for hungry children.

— Joshua Landis, Oklahoma City

All kids need to eat well and by taking this benefit away means a lot of kids won't have enough food. Oklahoma is near the bottom of food for kids. Why is Governor Stitt worried about how the federal money would work?

— Dale Evans, Oklahoma City

I think it’s a purely political decision, because it’s the federal government offering $40 per month to provide food for kids. I think it’s quite telling and pathetic. We’re talking about a menial amount of money to help with food. It’s so petty and cruel. I’m so tired of politicians using their positions to make decisions that have zero negative effect on them, but will make 100% negative impact on a child. I’m disgusted as an Oklahoman.

— Lori Hardy, Yukon

Turning down food help for kids is stupid and mean.

— Helen Duchon, Norman

As a public school teacher this decision breaks my heart. The amount of money my colleagues and myself spend on snacks for these kids would shock most people. Stitt and the rest of our state reps have no idea what some of these go through. I'm also a foster mom to two of my students. The amount of food two teenage girls can eat is SHOCKING. Our grocery bill has skyrocketed. It has really opened my eyes to how expensive groceries can be if you have multiple kids. And when kids are home for the summer?? When they can't get snacks from teachers or easy access to the food pantry at school? Have we no hearts? Have we lost our humanity? When food is so abundant in Oklahoma. Shame. What a shame.

— Mary Smiddy, Mounds

It's pretty obvious that Kevin Stitt nor his children have ever experienced hunger or food insecurity. It costs him nothing to opt into this program that benefits some of the most vulnerable in our state while he tries to convince the rest of us that he wants to be the most pro-life, pro-family state in the country. Shame on him.

— Amy Boone, Oklahoma City

If it was going to those who truly need it, it should happen. Kids should not have to suffer.

— Cheryl Williamson, Tuttle

Opting out of the food program for children is just one more example of the governor’s mean spiritedness when it comes to anything that would benefit lower income Oklahomans.

— Mary Kirtley

More: Guest: Oklahoma is No. 6 in childhood hunger. It seems Stitt wants to keep us in Top 10

More: Guest: Conservatives do not believe providing food is a legitimate function of government

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Summer food program needed, children should be priority, readers say