Bisbee: Despite efforts, food insecurity plagues Oklahoma By: Julie Bisbee Guest Columnist April 27, 2021 Julie Bisbee Oklahoma is experiencing a childhood hunger crisis. Currently across the country, 1 out of every 7 children struggle with hunger. In Oklahoma, that number is 1 in 4. Good nutrition is vital to good health – especially for children. Oklahoma children have struggled with food insecurity in the past, but the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation. According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, food assistance programs saw a 30% increase in need for Oklahoma families facing food insecurity – many facing food insecurity for the first time. Since March 2020, RFBO’s Food for Kids team has worked with individual school districts to adjust how Food for Kids was delivered. When many schools went virtual, both the Backpack and School Pantry programs changed to drive-thru distribution. As communities adjusted and created virtual learning centers, RFBO delivered Kids Café meals. Food was distributed through bus routes and curbside pickup to ensure kids had the nutrition they needed.