Amid growing food insecurity across rural Oklahoma, OSU Institute of Technology (OSUIT) is stepping in to fill a critical gap. Through a USDA- supported initiative called the Summer Feeding Program, Pete’s Pantry – OSUIT’s on-campus social service hub – is providing no-cost, takehome meal boxes to children ages 1-18 across the Okmulgee community. And the response has been overwhelming.

“This program is called Food for Thought, Oklahoma and is made possible through the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma,” explained Beth Rogers, social services liaison at OSUIT and the lead organizer of the effort. “Each box contains 10 shelf-stable meals – five breakfasts and five lunches – along with milk, fruits, vegetables and juice, following USDA guidelines.”

The program operates as a non-congregate meal site, meaning the meals are pre-packaged and designed for children to consume at home rather than on campus. While initially launched with the expectation of serving 50 families per week, word quickly spread through social media and community networks, dramatically expanding the demand.

“Last summer, we distributed over 1,000 boxes – feeding more than 1,000 children and totaling 10,570 meals,” said Rogers. “We quickly learned that the need in Okmulgee County was far greater than we imagined.”

This summer, the demand continues to grow. In the first two weeks of June 2025 alone, Pete’s Pantry distributed more than 300 boxes – each containing ten USDA-approved meals – totaling nearly 3,000 meals for local children.

To meet this demand, Rogers has requested approval to increase their weekly allotment from 100 to 200 boxes. Until confirmation is received, boxes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

— Distribution Details • Days: Monday and Wednesdays

• Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (strict USDA guidelines apply – no early or late pickups)

• Location: Pete’s Pantry at OSUIT

• Eligibility: Children ages 1-18 (no ID or proof of income required; only parent/guardian and child names are needed)

• Program End Date: Aug. 11, 2025, or until boxes run out – What sets OSUIT’s program apart is its accessibility. According to Rogers, few USDA non-congregate sites exist in this part of the state. A glance at the USDA’s meal finder map reveals a stark scarcity of options in rural Oklahoma – with only one other meals-to-go site in all of Okmulgee County.

“We don’t advertise this heavily,” Rogers said. “It’s mostly word of mouth. But that’s also why it’s important to get the word out – there are families with real need who simply don’t know this exists.”

— Beyond Summer Meals: Pete’s Pantry As a Year-Round Lifeline Though the summer program is a highlight, Pete’s Pantry offers more than just food. It’s part of a larger effort to support OSUIT students and the surrounding community through a range of social services.

“We’re not just a pantry. We’re a social service hub,” said Rogers. “We help students and employees apply for SNAP, SoonerCare, daycare assistance and even vocational rehabilitation. We also partner with community health workers who assist with transportation, medical access and more.”

The pantry also provides hygiene kits, transportation bicycles for on-campus students, diapers, and other essential supplies. It’s a growing operation, made possible through a combination of grants, donations, and local sponsors – including Randy’s Foods, which supplies fresh groceries through a $1,000 monthly food grant.

What began in 2019 as a single shelf of food in a hallway has now expanded into a dedicated building filled with shelves, storage, and workspaces – all run under Rogers’ careful coordination.

“We moved in here, because we got so big and expansion was needed. We don’t mind the busyness, the more the merrier,” she said. “And if we can get 200 or even 250 boxes a week, we’ll do everything we can to meet that need.”

— How You Can Help While individual volunteer slots are limited due to OSU’s background check policies, Rogers encourages group-based volunteering for large projects such as pantry reorganization and clothing closet clean-up.

If your organization, church group, or civic club would like to assist Pete’s Pantry or contribute donations, you can reach out to the campus directly through OSUIT’s main line and ask for Pete’s Pantry.

In the meantime, Rogers and her team continue to prepare for the weeks ahead – hoping that the supply can match the growing demand.

“This program keeps us going during the slower summer months,” said Rogers. “It reminds us why we’re here – serving students, families and the greater community.”

For updates or to check box availability, contact OSUIT’s Pete’s Pantry at 918-293-4678 or visit in person during service hours.

— Editor’s Note: Boxes are available while supplies last. Families are encouraged to come early during designated service days to ensure availability.