Update: Governor Kevin Stitt and state lawmakers announced a plan to vote on making $1 million per week available to Oklahoma’s food banks for up to seven weeks as SNAP funding lapses amid the government shutdown.

It comes just hours after Oklahoma Democrats called on the governor to call for a special session to use rainy day funds to help feed Oklahomans.

The governor’s office said the funding would be deployed from the State Emergency Fund, which currently holds $7.8 million.

“Following a Contingency Review Board meeting to be held Monday evening, and with approval by the Board and the appropriate state authorities, funds will become available for immediate deployment.” A news release said.

The weekly allocations will only be issued if the federal shutdown continues to impact SNAP and if the prior week’s funds have been expended.

Original Story: Oklahoma Democrats called on Governor Kevin Stitt to call for a special session to approve the use of rainy day funds to help feed the nearly 700,000 Oklahomans about to lose SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown.

“We have seen Republican and Democratic governors across this country tap into their emergency funds to support food banks and other organizations to ensure the citizens in their states do not go hungry. Governor Stitt should do the same thing right here in Oklahoma.” Rep. and House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson said.

Rep. Munson acknowledged the limitations on using rainy day funds pointed out by Governor Stitt during a news conference of his own earlier this week. But, she said it would be worth deploying $11M from state savings to the state’s two largest food banks.

“This is a clear and affordable way for us to help our shared constituents.” Rep. Munson added.

Governor Stitt said he wants to beef up other programs before resorting to rainy day funds because there’s no guarantee the federal government will reimburse the state.