In a significant collaboration, The Sooner Nation Collective, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Pioneer Library System Foundation joined forces April 27 to tackle food insecurity among Oklahoma children through a dynamic educational event led by student-athletes from the University of Oklahoma.

“Anytime we can share what facing hunger looks like and how others can help is a win,” Stacy Dykstra, CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, said.

“Working with the Pioneer Library System and the student-athletes through The Sooner Nation Collective is a great example of working together to make a difference,” she said.

OU student-athletes Kaylee Vesley and Sahara Williams read Lulu and the Hunger Monster, an award-winning book addressing hunger, at the Purcell Pioneer Library.

Vesley is a senior on the OU women’s golf team while Williams is a freshman on the OU women’s basketball team.

The readings were intended for children ages five to nine to educate them on the challenges of hunger and the importance of listening and helping others.

Through readings of Lulu and the Hunger Monster, OU athletes helped bring awareness in an engaging way that children could comprehend.

“It is our hope that children will connect to a story about someone they recognize and can relate to,” Dykstra said.

“Hopefully, they will learn more about empathy and how they can help a classmate experiencing food insecurity.”

Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of hunger in the nation and one of the lowest food security rates among children. Nearly one in six Oklahoma children qualify for free or reduced-cost school meal plans.

Through the partnership and reading sessions, Dykstra intends to spread greater awareness of food insecurity in the community.

“Too many of our Oklahoma neighbors experience food insecurity,” Dykstra said. “Helping others realize what it means and how it looks to experience food insecurity is a step toward ending hunger in our state.”

This collaborative effort aims to highlight food insecurity and mobilize community action by orchestrating simultaneous reading sessions across various Pioneer Library System locations.

“This partnership presents a tremendous opportunity to address food insecurity through the influential power of reading and sports,” Will Merrick, Development Officer, Pioneer Library System Foundation, said. “It's a powerful way to engage with young Oklahomans, who look up to OU's student-athletes as heroes.”

“We believe this is a win for everyone involved — the athletes, the children and the community at large,” Merrick said. “Bringing these student-athletes together with young children for a cause educates and inspires action.”