The Children’s Hospital Extends Free Lunch for Children Program

OKLAHOMA CITY – In light of Oklahoma City Public Schools delaying the start of school, The Children’s Hospital at OU Health is extending its free lunch program through August 28, to ensure children continue to receive adequate nutrition.

As part of its commitment to improving the lives of all children in the community, The Children’s Hospital, in cooperation with Sodexo,has been participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Oklahoma Children's Hospital was the first hospital in the state to offer free meals to children during summer break. 

Through the Summer Food Service Program, lunch is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost to children 18 years and younger. Meals are provided each weekday of the program period.

The Summer Food Service Program is similar to the National School Lunch Program and ensures children continue to receive adequate nutrition when school is not in session. Meals and service provided are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

This year, access to the building is restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and children may not eat onsite. However, meals are available for pick-up outside the Children’s Atrium, the main entrance to The Children’s Hospital, located at 1200 Children’s Ave., Oklahoma City. Each boxed lunch meets USDA nutritional guidelines and includes a sandwich, milk, fruit and a snack. Lunches may be picked up during these times:

11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Monday through Friday through August 28

Staff members have taken measures to ensure the lunch pick-up process is safe for all participants. These measures include frequent hand washing, limiting contact, observing social distancing guidelines and wearing masks at all times.

Read more about the program here, or contact Sodexo Administrator Pam Harris at pamela.harris@oumedicine.com or (405) 271-8001, ext. 42212.

For more sites and information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program.

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THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

At The Children’s Hospital, pediatric staff blends years of training with education, research and technology to improve the lives of children throughout the region. The obstetric emergency room at The Children’s Hospital is a regional referral center for the state, and the neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of newborn care in Oklahoma. Children’s is also home to the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in Oklahoma City. With a family-centered approach to healing, Children’s offers resources from pet therapy to child life specialists who help families cope with hospitalization and illness. From advanced surgical services to general pediatrics, oncology care and more, The Children’s Hospital provides cutting-edge research and treatments through hospital-based and outpatient services. To learn more, visit oumedicine.com/childrens.

OU MEDICINE

OU Health — along with its academic partner, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center — is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest physician network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. OU Health is the No. 1 ranked hospital system in Oklahoma, and its oncology program at Stephenson Cancer Center and OU Medical Center ranked in the Top 50 in the nation, in the 2019-2020 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. OU Health was also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in four specialties: Ophthalmology in partnership with Dean McGee Eye Institute, Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit oumedicine.com.