OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — For the second year in a row, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is declining to take part in a program that would have provided millions in federal funds to provide Oklahoma children with free lunches next summer.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Stitt confirmed Oklahoma will not participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s ‘Summer EBT’ program for Summer 2025.
Stitt previously declined to take part in the program for Summer 2024.
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According to Hunger-Free Oklahoma, the Summer EBT program would have provided nearly $50 million in federal funds, that would have been given to the State Department of Education to provide more than 400,000 qualifying Oklahoma children free meals throughout the summer.
In a statement on Wednesday, Stitt’s spokesperson indicated Stitt believes Oklahoma already has enough programs in place to meet the needs of those children next summer.