Osage Nation Aims to Join Summer EBT Program in 2025, Reinforces Summer Food Resources Available for Osage Nation Reservation Families

Press Release
Food Distribution

OSAGE NATION RESERVATION, OKLA. (May 29, 2024) – In January 2024, Osage Nation (ON) took a significant step by submitting a letter of intent for the Summer EBT Program funding. This program is crucial as it supports needy families, especially after the State of Oklahoma declined federal funding. The Women, Infants, and Children's (WIC) Department of Osage Nation submitted the letter to the Food and Nutrition Services-USDA with the aim to serve all qualifying children residing in Osage County, regardless of their tribal or non-tribal affiliation. 

 

Unfortunately, the Summer EBT program will not be available for 2024 due to unforeseen challenges in securing a suitable technology platform for benefit issuance. However, the ON WIC is diligently working to overcome these challenges and ensure all the necessary components are in place for a successful launch in 2025.

 

“Osage Nation Social Services is deeply committed to serving families throughout the Osage Nation Service Area,” said Secretary of Social Services Teresa Bledsoe. “Our team did everything possible to provide this service and will use the progress made as building blocks for 2025.” 

 

Osage Nation WIC is committed to serving community members throughout the reservation and has provided state and tribal resources available:

 

Osage Nation WIC 

WIC Director: Dawna Bowman

Contact: : 918-287-5360 or 1-800-460-1006

Physical Addresses: 

  • Fairfax: 905 McKinely Ave., Fairfax, OK 74637
  • McCord: 64560 US HWY 60, Ponca City, OK 74604
  • Pawhuska: 1301 Grandview Avenue, Pawhuska, OK 74056
  • Tulsa: 904 W. 36th St. North, Tulsa, OK 74127
  • Skiatook: 519 Maplewood Lane, Skiatook, OK 74070
  • Hominy: 303 East Main Street, Hominy, OK 74035
  • Bartlesville: 307 South Seneca, Bartlesville, OK 74003

 

Osage Nation Food Distribution 

 

State Assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: https://www.okdhslive.org/

 

Barnsdall: 

  • Lighthouse Family Worship Center Food Bank - Availability announced via Fairfax Community Page Facebook Page 

 

Fairfax:

  • New Hope Church Monthly Food Box – the second Thursday of every month. Approximate time: 11 AM
  • Woogie's Pantry
  • Catholic Charities Monthly Food Box Distribution- Availability announced via Fairfax Community Page Facebook Page

 

Hominy: 

Summer Food Program Breakfast & Lunch (Ages 4-18) - May 28th-June 20, 2024, at the Hominy Elementary School Cafeteria.  

  • May 28th-31st (Tuesday - Friday)
  • June 3rd-20th (Monday - Thursday)
  • Breakfast served 8:00 AM-8:30 AM
  • Lunch served 11:00 AM-Noon

        

Pawhuska:

  • The Summer Feeding Program (Age 18 or younger) - Monday through Friday, June 3-28, 2024, at the Pawhuska Elementary Cafeteria.  
    • Breakfast served 7:45-8:30 AM
    • Lunch served 11 AM -12:30 PM
  • Help Works Food Pantry: https://www.help-works.com/
  • Soup Kitchen: Catholic Church Parish Hall: Sunday, Tuesday-Friday Free Meal 1-2 PM
  • Christ's Cupboard: Ministerial Alliance, First Christian Church

 

Skiatook: 

  • Eligible Osage youth are able to participate in the Cherokee Nation’s Summer EBT Program. Eligibility for the program is based on free or reduced school meals and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations data list. Applications can be found here: https://gadugiportal.cherokee.org/s/wics-program

     

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