Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s (FBEO) mission is to lead partners in the fight against hunger in eastern Oklahoma. Through 700 feeding partners and their Community Impact programs, FBEO serves low-income people struggling with hunger across 24 counties. Some of their direct services programs that focus on children and schools include Summer Feeding, Kids Café, Backpacks for Kids and farmer’s market-style distributions at early childhood education centers. The School Pantry and Campus Pantry programs provide food, equipment, and support services for approximately 70 schools, from junior high and high schools to post-secondary schools, such as colleges and career techs. 

Funded Program

Through the Rooted in Evidence Food Bank Program, FBEO provided chef-crafted frozen meals to 10 school and campus pantries, supporting approximately 150 students experiencing food insecurity. Using the Rooted in Evidence data, they secured $285,000 in other grant funding and expect to serve 17,000 meals this academic year—over three times the number of meals distributed in the first two years.

The pantry program was evaluated on how effective the addition of frozen meals was in helping the students with food and nutritional security by comparing pre- and post-assessments; how often the pantries were accessed; and the number of meals provided by school sites. The research question FBEO were seeking to answer was: Does offering nutritious frozen meals made by our culinary center in the School Pantry Program increase the food and nutrition security of students who receive them?  

FBEO’s program had such a positive impact on the schools they partnered with. Over the course of a semester, they found a measurable improvement in the food security and nutrition security of students. The frozen meal program was embraced by pantry coordinators and students alike because it addressed a need FBEO had not been able to fill. These nutritious meals were convenient, satisfying, only required a microwave to prepare and received positive reviews.

FBEO is working to establish a more formal program evaluation system within their Community Impact department, using logic models, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, research articles and lived experience to spur innovation and efficiencies. FBEO’s goal is continuous improvement as their programs grow and change to meet the needs of the community.