Choctaw Summer Fun Should Not Include Hunger

Chahta Toffa Ihlauvlli Yvt Hohchvffo Aienincha Hinla Tuk Kiyo

Published July 6, 2026

By Chief Gary Batton

Audio in Choctaw Language

Summer should be a time of fun, family, and opportunity for our children. But for many families, the end of the school year also means the loss of reliable access to school meals. At the Choctaw Nation, we believe no child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. As a sovereign, self-reliant nation, it is our duty that the children within our reservation are given a great start at life beginning with nutrition.

That is why we are proud to offer two important summer nutrition programs designed to support children and families throughout southeastern Oklahoma. These programs help ensure that our young people continue receiving the nutritious food they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Summer EBT Program

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program provides eligible families with $40 per child, per month for groceries from mid-May through early August.

Many children who receive free or reduced-price school meals are automatically enrolled through their school district. Additional eligibility is available for children in charter schools, homeschool settings, foster care, Head Start programs, and households participating in programs such as SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid. Children experiencing homelessness, those who are migrants, or runaway youth may also qualify.

One of the things I am most proud of is that this program serves all families living within the Choctaw Nation Reservation, regardless of tribal affiliation. Our goal is simple: help children access healthy food throughout the summer months.

Already, more than 17,000 children across our region have begun receiving Summer EBT benefits, helping families stretch their grocery budgets while ensuring children have access to nutritious meals.

Summer Food Service Program

In addition to Summer EBT, the Choctaw Nation operates the Summer Food Service Program at multiple locations across the reservation.

This program provides free weekly grab-and-go meal boxes for children ages 1 to 17. Each box contains five breakfasts, five lunches, and enough milk for the week. There are no income requirements, and participation is open to all children regardless of tribal affiliation.

Families can pick up meals through convenient drive-through distribution sites located throughout the reservation. The program is especially important in rural communities and USDA-designated food deserts, where access to healthy and affordable food can be limited.

This summer, associates have an opportunity to give back by volunteering with the Summer Food Service Program, helping serve food boxes to communities across the reservation.

Volunteers are needed at multiple locations throughout the summer to assist with food distribution efforts that help support children and families during school break. Whether you can volunteer once or throughout the summer, your support makes an impact in our communities. For more information on how you can help, search the Summer Food Service Program at choctawnation.com.

A Commitment to Our Children

Food security is more than a nutrition issue, it is a foundation for health, education, and success. When children have access to nutritious meals, they are better prepared to learn, participate in activities, and enjoy their summer break.

These federally funded programs reflect our commitment to caring for our communities and investing in the next generation. By working together, we can help ensure every child has the nourishment they need during the summer months.

If you would like more information about either program or need assistance with an application, please contact Choctaw Nation at 580-916-9239.

Together, we are building stronger families, healthier communities, and a brighter future for our children – and that is what the Chahta Spirit of Faith, Family and Culture is all about.

Yakoke and God Bless!

Toffa yvt hvpim vlla ya ihlauvlli, chukka achvffa, micha aivlhpiesa i hvshi kanvlli ahinla tuk. Chukka achvffa lawa ka, aiikhvna afvmmi yvt tahak mvt, aiikhvna illimpa aiona ya i kvnia im ahni. Vlla kia im illimpa achaka yvt kanimma aminta chi kvt tikambicha hinla tuk kiyo ka Chahta Okla ato yimmi. Okla i shahli micha inla aianukcheto kiyo hvpia kvt yakni ilatomba anukaka ya vlla vhleha yvt ahofanti ishi hosh aiokchaya isht ia chi kvt hvpim aivlhtoka.

Toffa ahofanti aiahni tuklo na fehna hosh chukka achvffa vhleha Oklahoma oka mahli hvshi akuchaha ittintakla hlopulli ka apela chi ka toba tuk. Hvpi himitthoa yvt illimpa ahofanti ihishi hosh ikhvna, hofanti, micha chitot ia chi ka aiahni ilvppvt ahlichit apela.

Summer EBT Program

Bihi Hvshi iklvnna hiket Takkon Hvshi tikbali ona ka, Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer vt chukka achvffa vlhpesa ya ilhpak im atahli. Chukka achvffa vlhpesa ya vlla aiyuka ka tvli holisso pokoli ushta im atahli.

Vlla vhleha aiikhvna illimpa pilla keyuk mvt tvkla ishi yvt im aiikhvna ulhti hlopulli hosh hohchifo holisso takali. Vlla vhleha inla aianukcheto kiyo, chukka aiikhvna, vlhtobvt hofantichi, micha Head Start aiahni ibafoka yvt vlhpesa aiena. Chukka achvffa SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, kia Medicaid aiahni ibafoka yvt vlhpesa. Vlla i chukka iksho imomaka, wiha vhleha, kia himitta balilit kvnia ak kia aiatahla hinla.

Aiahni ilvppvt chukka achvffa moyuma kvt Choctaw Nation Reservation anukaka aiasha atia ka, nana achvffa si ayukpa moma i shahli. Hvpim anukfila yvt bano: toffa hvshi hlopulli ka, vlla ya illimpa achukma aiona apelvchi.

Tikba, hvpim ulhti hlopulli ka vlla tahlepa sipokni awah untuklo atampa hosh Summer EBT na hvlbina ishit isht ia tuk. Chukka achvffa im ilhpak bahta auatvchi apela cha vlla ya illimpa ahofanti aiona im ahlichi.

Summer Food Service Program

Summer EBT aieninchi kvt, yakni ilatomba hlopulli ka, Chahta Okla yvt Summer Food Service Program apesvchi.

Aiahni ilvppvt vlla vhleha afvmmi achvffa hiket awah untuklo ona ka, nittak hullo achvffakma illimpa itumbi pilla im atahli. Itumbi aiyuka ka onnahinli impa tahlapi, tabokoli impa tahlapi, micha pishukchi nittak hullo achvffa vlhpesa yosh vlhto. Im ibafoka vlhpesa yvt iksho ka vlla moyuma, okla ittvtakvli kiyo kia, ibafoka yvt i tiwa.

Chukka achvffa yvt yakni ilatomba anuka ya ahopela hlopullit illimpa aiowa hinla. Tvmaha kucha chukka lukoli micha illimpa kowi USDA-vlhtuka ya aiahni ilvppvt nana fehna.

Himak toffa ya, ittiba toksvli yvt ilap ahnit Summer Food Service Program iba toksvli hosh falvmmicha hinla. Yakni ilatomba hlopulli ka okla ya ilhpak itumbi ipeta apelvcha hinla.

Toffa hlopulli ka, aiasha lawa kvt ilhpak hopela apelvchi ya ilap ahni abvnna. Aiikhvna foha takla chukka achvffa vhleha ya aiahlichi apela. Himonna ilap ish ahna hinla keyuk mvt toffa ish hlopullicha hinla hokma chim apelvchi yvt hvpim okla fehnvchi. choctawnation.com ona cha Summer food Service Program hvsh hoyo hokmvt vnnoa i shahli hvsh isha hinla.

A Commitment to Our Children

Ilhpak ahinna yvt ahofanti anumpa atampa, haknip achukma, nan ikhana, micha aiahli intolahpi. Vlla vhleha yvt illimpa ahofanti aiona ishi hokmvt ikhvna micha akaniohmi ibafoka chi kvt i shahlit im vlhtaha.

Hvpim okla ya isht ahvllaia micha unchululi achaka ya fohkvchi il ima ka aiahni okla ahvllaia aholittopa ilvppvt oktvnichi. Toffa hvshi takla il ittiba toksvlik mvt, vlla ilaiyuka kvt ahofanti abvnna ishi ka apelvchi il im ahlicha hinla.

Aiahni kanimampo ho vnnoa i shahli hvchi bvnna hokmvt, Chahta Okla i paya: 580-916-9239.

Ittatuklo kvt, chukka achvffa hlampko, okla achukmaka micha hvpim vlla i himak pilla malanta il ikbi – yvmmak osh NA YIMMI, CHUKKA ACHVFFA, MICHA IM AIVLHPESA imma.

Yakoke! Chihowa hvt hvchi holitoblashke!