The Atoka County Commissioners convened for their regular meeting today, addressing crucial funding for the Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Program and seeing Commissioner Dunlap publicly address recent online accusations.
Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Program Faces Challenges During the meeting, commissioners discussed funding assistance for the Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Program, with Pat Perry, the manager of the Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Center, present for the public board action. This program, established in 1967, operates across 10 counties with 14 nutrition sites, including the Atoka location at Walker Circle, and historically has run smoothly, serving thousands.
However, Perry detailed significant financial challenges. She explained that three years ago, the home delivery program was transferred to Mom's Meals, but it was given back two years ago. The core issue is that when the program was returned, its funding model shifted from reimbursing actual costs (including meal preparation and delivery) to only a unit cost (covering the meal itself). This change significantly impacts on their overhead costs, as operational costs remain high despite the loss of additional funding that previously alleviated these expenses.
