logo
New Restaurant Weeks support San Antonio Food Bank

New Restaurant Weeks support San Antonio Food Bank

Axios11-06-2025
The San Antonio Food Bank's inaugural Restaurant Weeks, which runs now through June 21, offers foodies the chance to try new local dishes for a good cause.
Why it matters: Proceeds from the new program will go toward summer meals for children at a time when federal assistance is lacking in Texas and food prices remain high.
How it works: Restaurants feature special menu items made with produce from the San Antonio Food Bank's urban farms, and $1 from each sale of a menu item goes to the food bank program.
Participating restaurants and dishes include options such as enchiladas de calabacitas at Carriqui and a cheese, thyme and honey flavor at Lick Honest Ice Creams at Pearl.
Zoom in: The San Antonio Food Bank's Summer Meals for Kids program offers free food at sites like libraries and community centers until Aug. 8.
No registration or ID is required. Find hours and locations online.
What they're saying: The food bank's Restaurant Weeks "is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our partnerships with local restaurants, bars and eateries," food bank CEO Eric Cooper said in a statement.
"Their support and your participation will directly help ensure that no child goes without a meal this summer."
The big picture: When school is out for the summer, children can lose access to the meals they get at school.
The latest: For the second year in a row, Texas is not participating in a federal program known as Summer EBT that helps families cover grocery bills.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Greg Abbott Vetoes Extra SNAP Benefits Over Trump Uncertainty
Greg Abbott Vetoes Extra SNAP Benefits Over Trump Uncertainty

Newsweek

time24-06-2025

  • Newsweek

Greg Abbott Vetoes Extra SNAP Benefits Over Trump Uncertainty

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has vetoed a state budget measure that would have allowed more than three million children to receive extra food benefits. Signing off on a two-year state budget this week, Abbott said that "significant uncertainty" over federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) means the state will not proceed with the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) in 2025 — a federal program that provides additional benefits during the summer months. Newsweek contacted Abbott's office for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in the Texas State Capitol in Austin in April. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in the Texas State Capitol in Austin in April. Brandon Bell Why It Matters Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, is a program that provides $120 in food benefits to eligible children each summer in multiple states. Most of these children are in families who collect SNAP benefits, which are issued to low- and no-income households across the country to help them pay for groceries. According to Feeding Texas, a network of food banks that serves every Texas county, some 3.75 million children were expected to receive the Summer EBT. What To Know As it stands, states pay for half of the administrative costs of running the Summer EBT program, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pays the other half. The USDA also covers the entire cost of benefits. But this funding model has been earmarked for change under a House Republican budget bill, which is currently being considered in the Senate. It could see states paying for a portion of SNAP benefits in order to reduce federal spending. "As the contingency portions of this rider detail, there is significant uncertainty regarding federal matching rates for this and other similar programs," Abbott wrote in the proclamation announcing the veto. "Once there is more clarity about the long-term fiscal ramifications for creating such a program, the Legislature can reconsider funding this item." Democratic Representatives Armando Walle and Toni Rose, along with No Kid Hungry Texas director Stacie Sanchez Hare, jointly said in a statement: "The reason given for the veto — uncertainty regarding the federal budget and the SNAP program — is unfounded. "Summer EBT matching funds are not tied to SNAP rates, and we have no reason to believe they are at risk." Summer EBT In total, 37 states are taking part in the SUN Bucks program this summer. It is not available in 2025 in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming. What People Are Saying Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, said in a statement: "We are deeply disappointed by the decision to veto funding for the Summer EBT program in Texas. This program would have provided critical nutrition support to children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable and food insecurity often peaks. "We appreciate Governor Abbott's openness to reconsidering Summer EBT funding in the future. We stand ready to work with the governor and legislative leaders to find a path forward that ensures Texas children do not go hungry during the summer months." The Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement: "In a stunning display of misplaced priorities, Governor Abbott used his line-item veto power to eliminate just one Legislature-approved item from Texas' $338 billion state budget: a $60 million program to feed hungry Texas children during summer months." Christina Morales, a Texas Democratic Representative, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "Abbott just slammed the door on hungry Texas kids by vetoing summer lunch funding. This decision to hide behind federal uncertainty is morally bankrupt and shows he's completely out of touch with struggling families across our state." What Happens Next Abbott has confirmed that once there is more clarity regarding the funding of SNAP benefits, participation in the program can be reconsidered. Are you a SNAP recipient in Texas who could have received Summer EBT? How do you feel about Abbott's decision? Email

New Restaurant Weeks support San Antonio Food Bank
New Restaurant Weeks support San Antonio Food Bank

Axios

time11-06-2025

  • Axios

New Restaurant Weeks support San Antonio Food Bank

The San Antonio Food Bank's inaugural Restaurant Weeks, which runs now through June 21, offers foodies the chance to try new local dishes for a good cause. Why it matters: Proceeds from the new program will go toward summer meals for children at a time when federal assistance is lacking in Texas and food prices remain high. How it works: Restaurants feature special menu items made with produce from the San Antonio Food Bank's urban farms, and $1 from each sale of a menu item goes to the food bank program. Participating restaurants and dishes include options such as enchiladas de calabacitas at Carriqui and a cheese, thyme and honey flavor at Lick Honest Ice Creams at Pearl. Zoom in: The San Antonio Food Bank's Summer Meals for Kids program offers free food at sites like libraries and community centers until Aug. 8. No registration or ID is required. Find hours and locations online. What they're saying: The food bank's Restaurant Weeks "is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our partnerships with local restaurants, bars and eateries," food bank CEO Eric Cooper said in a statement. "Their support and your participation will directly help ensure that no child goes without a meal this summer." The big picture: When school is out for the summer, children can lose access to the meals they get at school. The latest: For the second year in a row, Texas is not participating in a federal program known as Summer EBT that helps families cover grocery bills.

Summer EBT ‘SUN Bucks' going out this month
Summer EBT ‘SUN Bucks' going out this month

Yahoo

time11-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Summer EBT ‘SUN Bucks' going out this month

(WKBN) – Ohio's Sun Bucks program will be distributed through June. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, also known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks, is a federal program that provides assistance to eligible families with school-aged children while those schools are closed for the summer. SUN Bucks is a one-time benefit of $120 per eligible child. The benefit will be distributed in batches through June. Those receiving SNAP and Medicaid are automatically enrolled and will be loaded on the One Direction Card. New recipients will receive a benefit card by mail. Like SNAP, the extra money can be used to buy goods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Last year, $144 million was given out in extra food assistance to over 1.2 million Ohio children through the SUN Bucks program. Families not automatically eligible can learn more about the application process online. Research shows that during a slowing economy, $1 billion in new SNAP benefits would lead to an increase of $1.54 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 54% above and beyond the new benefits. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store