The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine 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, The 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 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 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