Remove Barriers
We eliminate school meal debt so hunger never stands between a child and their education.
Support with Care
Your generosity ensures children are treated with dignity and compassion, not judgment.
Create Opportunity
Access to meals leads to better focus, better learning, and better futures.
12,000+ Meals Provided to Students in Oklahoma
12,000+ Meals Supported
Every meal changes a child’s school day.
Across Oklahoma, unpaid school meal balances prevent many students from accessing the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. Through community support and targeted action, 12 Baskets 4 Kids Fund helps schools clear meal debt so no child is left behind because of financial hardship.
Supporting local schools and families affected by school meal debt
Partnering with communities to remove barriers to access
Focused on transparency and measurable impact
Be a Partner in Change
Small actions lead to big impact. Your support helps schools eliminate unpaid meal balances and restore dignity to students who need it most.
How We Make a Difference
Support Our Mission and Make a Difference
School Meal Debt Relief
We work directly with schools to clear unpaid meal balances so students are never denied food because of financial hardship.
Student Nutrition
We support access to healthy, reliable meals that help students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn every day.
Family Support
By easing the burden of meal debt, we help families breathe easier and keep children engaged in school without shame.
Common Questions
School Meal Debt Explained
When Oklahoma ended universal free school meals, thousands of families were caught off guard. Here's what you need to know about the crisis—and how we're fighting it.
"A child should never have to worry about whether they can afford lunch. Their only worry should be what's on the test."
— 12 Baskets 4 Kids Fund
What is school meal debt?
School meal debt occurs when students cannot afford to pay for their school meals. This debt accumulates on their accounts and can follow children throughout their education, sometimes even preventing them from participating in graduation ceremonies.
Why did Oklahoma's free meal program end?
The USDA's pandemic-era program that provided free meals to all students ended in 2022. Since then, many Oklahoma families have struggled to afford school meals, leading to growing debt across districts.
How does 12 Baskets 4 Kids help?
We work directly with Oklahoma school districts to identify and pay off student meal debt. 100% of donations go toward eliminating this debt, ensuring no child goes hungry or faces shame for something beyond their control.