Broken Arrow schools accept $6,732 community donation to expand weekend food bags

The Broken Arrow Board of Education voted to accept a $6,732 donation designated for the Food for Kids program, which provides weekend food bags to students who receive meals at school during the week.

Valerie Radford, student sports specialist and Food for Kids coordinator, told the board that the food bank had previously provided 576 bags each week but reduced that number to about 536, leaving the program roughly 40 bags short weekly and carrying a wait list of about 50–60 students. “This program is a referral, but it's also, mainly for our children who eat breakfast and lunch at our schools every day for the week so that they have some food to eat on the weekends when they're home,” Radford said.

Board members described community fundraising efforts and presented a check representing $6,732 in donations—$6,147 of that amount came from a single group donation, with the remainder from smaller contributions. The board treated the donation as an action item and approved acceptance by roll call.

Board members also noted operational details: program distribution uses referrals rather than free-and-reduced eligibility lists, and counselors and McKinney-Vento applications inform selection. The board approved acceptance of the donation and allowed a photo opportunity at the meeting; the donation acceptance did not include new ongoing appropriation instructions beyond approval to accept the funds.