MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to freeze on Saturday, Nov. 1 unless congressional leaders can find a way to fund the federal government and end the shutdown stalemate in Washington. As many as 685,000 Oklahomans could face serious food insecurity if SNAP benefits are suspended. A total of 25 states are currently suing the Trump Administration over the program’s suspension. State and Tribal leaders are addressing the funding freeze and are offering different solutions to the issue.
Governor Kevin Stitt said in a press conference held on Wednesday, Oct. 29 that the state government will not pull funds from the Constitutional Reserve Fund, or the Rainy Day Fund, to help Oklahomans who rely on SNAP benefits. Despite not covering the lapse in funding, Governor Stitt assured that his office is in communication with state agencies and the federal delegation, as well as churches and nonprofits in the state. The executive branch is discussing options with the state legislature if the shutdown continues to be ongoing throughout November. Governor Stitt called for nonprofits and individuals to step up and help their fellow Oklahomans in need.
“Oklahoma is in a very very strong financial situation. We have the largest savings account in our state history. Constitutionally I have maxed out the rainy day fund. I can’t put another dollar in. We’ve got as much money as we could possibly put in there,” Governor Stitt said.
“However if we use state funds, whether that be from our rainy day fund or other sources, the federal government said they are not going to reimburse us, it’s not likely, they can’t guarantee it. Before resorting to the rainy day fund, we are going to beef up other programs that we have. We have the SDE (State Department of Education), WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and other programs that are here to help.”
According to the State of Oklahoma 2025 Budget Book, the Constitutional Reserve Fund currently holds $1,365,345,200. Governor Stitt said the lapse in funding in federal programs could total $205 million for November. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma ranks as above average for food insecurity at 15.4%.
On the same day as the press conference, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill and MCN Second Chief Del Beaver announced that the MNC will begin a series of food distribution events for Tribal Citizens enrolled in SNAP. The first date was announced for Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Holdenville Regional Office. According to Principal Chief Hill, the Executive Branch had been preparing for SNAP benefits to freeze.
“For the past several weeks we have closely monitored the situation in Washington D.C. regarding the government shutdown. We knew as a Tribal government that we may be needed to supplement any interruption in services for any of our citizens who are on U.S. Government assistance. We are humble and grateful as a Tribal Nation to be in a position to provide this type of help at a crucial time,” Principal Chief Hill stated.
Second Chief Beaver added that the Nation’s efforts will not solve every need due to the short amount of time it’s had to prepare. However, he asserted that the Nation will do its best to address the needs for those enrolled in the SNAP program.
“With the looming suspension of the SNAP program, we began to convene meetings with several departments on how best we could help with the situation and what we could do with the Nation to help with these unexpected and immediate needs,” Second Chief Beaver said. “While nothing we can do in this time frame will meet every single need and situation, and there is no perfect plan or outcome, this is what we have decided is best to meet the immediate needs with the most people right now.”
A distribution package will include a one 20-pound box of Looped Square Ranch beef. Those who stop by a distribution event will need to provide their MCN citizenship card, a valid photo ID, and their Social Security card. Due to transport and capacity limitations, packages will be limited to the first 400 eligible citizens. No other distribution locations have been announced yet. Principal Chief Hill encouraged citizens to stay up to date for further distribution announcements on the Nation’s social media pages and main website.
Second Chief Beaver said the Nation can sustain its Woman Infant and Children program for 30 days starting in November, should the need arise.
MCN is not the only Tribal nation providing help during the benefits freeze. The Cherokee Nation declared a state of emergency due to food insecurity caused by the federal government shutdown. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced $4.5 million will be dispersed in direct payments to impacted Cherokee citizens. Additionally $1.25 million will be granted to food-security nonprofits on the Cherokee Reservation.
“I cannot predict what Congress or the President will do to stop the impending hunger crisis, but I know what the Cherokee Nation is going to do,” Chief Hoskin said in a press release. “We’re going to protect those in our region who are most at risk of hunger due to the federal government shutdown.”
Chief Hoskin also called on Governor Kevin Stitt to use part of the state’s $3.6 billion surplus to continue the SNAP program for Oklahomans. According to Chief Hoskin, now is the time for the state government to provide relief for citizens.
“I applaud the governor and other state leaders for amassing this multibillion-dollar fund from the people of this state,” Chief Hoskin said. “Now is the time to use it to help the people of this state. Gov. Stitt has the power to stem misery that he did not cause, but that he can fix. Over 920,000 Oklahomans, mostly children, many elders, many working people and all who are experiencing hard times are counting on him.”
For those in need, the Nation has released a full list of sites on the Mvskoke Reservation that offer food, clothing and utilities assistance. The full list is below.
Arms Around Broken Arrow
840 S Elm PL Broken Arrow, OK 74012
918-258-7714
Bixby Outreach Center
77 E Breckenridge Ave, Bixby, OK
918-366-9226
Broken Arrow Neighbors
315 W College St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
918-251-7781
Caring Community Friends
12 W. Burnham Ave. Sapulpa OK 74067
https://www.caringcommunityfriends.org/
918-224-6464
Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma
2450 N Harvard Ave. Tulsa, OK 74115
918-949-4673
Deep Fork Community Action Foundation
223 W. 6th St., Okmulgee, OK 74447
918-756-2826
FoodFinder
GOD’s Helping Hands
600 Border St. Eufaula, OK 74432
918-689-1800
Good Shepherd Episcopal Food Pantry
1420 E Dewey Ave. Sapulpa, OK 74066 https://www.foodpantries.org/li/good-shepherd-episcopalfood-pantry
918-224-5144
GUTS Church
9120 E Broken Arrow Expy. Tulsa, OK 74145 https://gutschurch.thechurchco.com/friday-groceries/
918-622-4422
Tulsa Harvest House
1439 E. 71st St. Tulsa, OK 74136
https://www.tulsaharvesthouse.org/
918-884-7667
Helping Hand Ministry
709 S Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
https://helpinghandministry918.com/
918-582-1356
Human Services (Oklahoma)
https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/applyforservices.html
405-522-5050
Iron Gate
501 W. Archer St. Tulsa, OK 74103
https://www.irongatetulsa.org/
918-879-1702
Mercy Mission II
114 E. 147th St., Glenpool, OK
918-694-3840
The Ministry Center
312 S. 33rd W Ave. Tulsa, OK 74127
https://www.ministry-center.com/
918-585-5310
Restore Hope Ministries
2960 Charles Page Blvd. Tulsa, OK 74127
918-582-5766
918-922-8282 (Rent Assistance)
The Salvation Army
111 E 8th St., Okmulgee, OK 74447
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
918-756-9224 (OKMULGEE)
918-587-7801 (TULSA)
The Muscogee (CREEK) Nation TANF
3000 Warrior Place. Okmulgee, OK 74447
https://www.muscogeenation.com/department-of-communityand-human-services/tanf/
918-549-2880
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
214 S Morton Ave. Okmulgee, OK 74447
https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/tanf/tanfhome.html
918-752-2000
Okmulgee/Okfuskee County Youth Services (Anne Maroney)
1950 N Okmulgee Ave, Okmulgee, OK 74447
Phone: (918) 756-7700 (Okmulgee)
Phone: (918) 310-1510 (Okemah)
Okemah Okmulgee County Consortium
Resource Page 111 S Alabama Ave, Okmulgee, OK 74447 https://okmulgeecountyconsortium.com/
Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank
Tulsa: 1304 N. Kenosha Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74106
Phone: 918-585-2800
McAlester: 2119 N. Main Street, McAlester, OK 74501
Phone: 918-429-7755
First United Methodist Church
302 S. Seminole Ave. Okmulgee, OK 74447
Phone: 918-756-6083 Wed/Th 10 am-1:30 pm
*Photo ID & Current Utility Bill
Henryetta Church of Christ
412 W Broadway, Henryetta, OK 74437
Phone: 918-652-4258 2nd the of the month: 8 am-12 pm
*Photo ID & Current Utility Bill
The Refuge
1205 W. 5th St., Okmulgee, Ok 74447
Phone: 918-210-2304 (can text)
*Appointment only
