OKC Parks And Rec Dept. Hosting Free Lunches For Kids Over Spring Break At Several Parks

The Oklahoma City Park and Recreation Department is hosting free lunches for children at several parks across the metro throughout spring break.

Tuesday, March 14th 2023, 4:45 pm

By: Anjelicia Bruton

OKLAHOMA CITY -

For a lot of children, the park is like their home away from home.

“Parks and recreation has a huge history in being influential in the development of children in Oklahoma City,” Robert Culverhouse with OKC Park and Rec Department said.

It's a safe haven to discover, play and grow.

“They don't have to be part of our program and we won't turn a child away,” Culverhouse said.

Anyone can go to the park just for fun, and Culverhouse said kids can also stop by just to grab a bite to eat.

“For probably the last 10 to 15 years, every spring we've probably offered lunches at our six recreation centers. We average a little over 2100 meals during this time from March 13 to March 17th,” Culverhouse said.

Kids won't be able to get their guaranteed meal while cafeterias are closed but lunch will be served at these parks at noon Monday through Friday and snacks will be served at 3 p.m.:

Macklanburg Recreation Center 2234 NW 117th St. OKC, OK 73120
Minnis Recreation Center 12520 NE 36th St. OKC, OK 73084
Melrose Recreation Center 7800 Melrose Lane OKC, OK 73127
Pitts Recreation Center 1920 N Kate Ave. OKC, OK 73111
Schilling Recreation Center 539 SE 25th St OKC, OK 73129
Southern Oaks Recreation Center 400 SW 66th St. OKC, OK 73139

“There's something for every income bracket within any of our parks’ systems, but one of the big benefits for families and residents that may be struggling is that they can send their child to a recreation center, and they know that their child is getting a well-balanced nutritious meal,” Culverhouse said.

Culverhouse said they're able to do this thanks to a partnership with the Regional Food Bank. They help them serve more than 190,000 meals annually at different parks.

“It's been proven study after study that in order to thrive and grow both physically and as far as learning and to be able to learn and pay attention they need that consistent access to nutritious food,” Cathy Nestlen said.

Parks and Recs said the Regional Food Bank makes the meals and they distribute them to kids up to 18 years old.

“We expect to see on average 70 kids a day at our recreation centers,” Culverhouse said.