Oklahoma Children's Hospital Re-Institutes Free Lunch for Children Program

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health has started its free lunch program back up and will offer it through December 31, to ensure children continue to receive adequate nutrition. As part of its commitment to improving the lives of all children in the community, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, in cooperation with Sodexo was participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. The hospital’s program ended in August. The USDA recently announced they will continue the program through the end of the year.

Through this 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 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.

Access to the hospital building is currently 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 Oklahoma 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 December 31

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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OKLAHOMA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT OU HEALTH

At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, 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 Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is also home to the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in Oklahoma City. With a family-centered approach to healing, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 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, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital provides cutting-edge research and treatments through hospital-based and outpatient services. To learn more, visit oklahomachildrens.org.

OU HEALTH

OU Health 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 doctor 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 OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: 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 ouhealth.com.