Latest news with #SummerEBT
USA Today
01-07-2025
- General
- USA Today
Feed the Children Launches Summer Hunger Campaign and Expands Summer Feed & Read Program
Nonprofit works with partners to provide food and learning activities for children in four cities As classes conclude and summer arrives, it should be a season of carefree days for children, filled with time spent with friends, pursuing their passions, and sparking their imaginations. However, for the 30 million children who depend on school meals, the end of the school year also signifies the end of this vital resource. For the 1 in 5 children in the U.S. who already experience food insecurity, this situation means they will have even less access to food during the summer months. Feed the Children recognizes that hunger exists all around us, even when we don't see it. This is why the nonprofit is kicking off its summer hunger campaign to raise critical funds to help children during one of the hungriest times of the year. The organization is working to address summer hunger as its Summer Feed & Read program expands to a fourth city this summer in Denver, Colo., and returns to Oklahoma City, Okla., Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. The Summer Feed & Read program provides nutritious meals to children during the summer months. These meals follow the USDA MyPlate guidelines and include a protein as the main course, along with servings of fruit, vegetables, grains, and milk. Additionally, the program addresses summer learning loss by providing books and promoting enrollment in summer learning opportunities and reading programs. For many families, 2025 has brought ongoing challenges that will make this summer more difficult. Even as food prices continue to rise, several states opted not to participate in the USDA SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program, including three of the four states where Feed the Children is implementing this summer's program – Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee. 'We hope that by focusing our impact in locations where the Summer EBT program is suspended, we can help close the meal gap for children experiencing the loss of school meals across the country,' said Colleen Ridenhour, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at Feed the Children. 'We are dedicated to supporting children who need us the most and helping them stay engaged in learning this summer as part of our continued commitment to growth and our goal of improving support to the communities we serve.' Many parents who rely on school meals to help stretch their food budget find summertime difficult to afford. Their children are home more of the time, and it's a challenge to buy all the meals a healthy child needs. For parents like Renata, a mom of two children, Feed the Children can help bridge the gap during the summer months. 'There's a lot more budgeting in the summer,' Renata explained. 'Right now, with the economy, everything costs so much money. We plan our meals out a week in advance, and that's what we eat.' Feed the Children helps by providing vital support to families who experience increased food insecurity during the summer months. The nonprofit is collaborating with partners to distribute nearly 30,000 pre-packaged lunch kits this summer. Additionally, Feed the Children offers household essentials, such as cleaning supplies and personal care items, which are not covered by SNAP benefits. This assistance helps parents and caregivers allocate more of their budget towards putting food on the table this summer. In addition to food and essential household and personal care items, Feed the Children also provides books and encourages enrollment in local summer reading programs that keep kids' minds active. Research has shown that young students lose some of their achievement gains – up to one month of the school year's lessons – over the summer. This is especially true for their literacy when children don't read regularly during the summer. Students who struggle with literacy early often find it difficult to catch up and may continue to fall behind their peers, which can have lasting impacts on their academic success. In Denver, Feed the Children teamed up with The a2 Milk Company TM to launch the Summer Feed & Read program, which will provide over 5,000 pre-packaged meals to students. The program will be hosted at Hope Communities , Denver Inner City Parish , and Alicia Sanchez Elementary . As part of the Summer Feed & Read program in Oklahoma and Memphis, Feed the Children is teaming up with FedEx to provide 14,000 pre-packaged meal kits. Oklahoma community partners participating in the program, Luther Community Service Center and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, will receive nearly 7,000 pre-packaged meals and books to support children this summer. The program will also provide 7,000 pre-packaged meals, books, and essentials to the Emmanuel Center and the Vance Avenue Youth Development Center in Memphis. The nonprofit is partnering with Americold to provide lunch meal kits to more than 6,000 students for the Summer Feed & Read program in Atlanta, working with the Latin American Association and Fulton County Schools . The school district is also a partner for Feed the Children's Food & Essential Hub program that supports students with food, essential household items, personal care products, books, and school supplies throughout the school year. 'We are grateful for all our partners and their commitment to ensuring children in their community have the food they need this summer,' said Tamara Sandberg, Vice President of U.S. Program Development at Feed the Children. 'Kids can't be hungry for knowledge if they are hungry for food – we hope that by providing access to books we can reduce the summer slide in reading while also supporting children with healthy meals while school is out.' View Feed the Children's Summer Feed & Read program video from previous Summer activities. The organization encourages everyone to join its mission to end childhood hunger. Supporters can help fight summer hunger by donating at . This support will allow kids to enjoy the summer and will help make a difference in the lives of children and their families across the country. About Feed the Children Feed the Children is a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at . For more information: Kelly Frey – 405-945-4064 SOURCE: Feed the Children View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Business
- 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
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
SNAP Summer EBT Payments: 3 States To Pay in July
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. Certain families with school-age children across three states will be receiving extra food benefits in July. Why It Matters The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program—also known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks—provides $120 per eligible school-aged child to help low- and no-income families across the U.S. buy groceries during the summer months when school meals aren't available. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which pays for the program, estimated it would assist some 21 million children nationwide, distributing about $2.5 billion in benefits across 35 states, five U.S. territories, and four tribal nations. Most recipients are those who already receive regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—monthly food benefits that are sent to some 40 million people across the U.S. and its overseas territories. What To Know This year, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories are participating in the Summer EBT program. Depending on the state, benefits will be issued in one of the following ways: Loaded onto an existing SNAP EBT card Added to a previous Summer EBT card Mailed on a new Summer EBT card Many states have already distributed benefits, sending out payments in June. The following states are expected to be sending out payments in July, according to fintech EBT benefits app Propel: Massachusetts Pennsylvania Virginia The following states will not be providing Summer EBT payments this season: Alaska Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Iowa Mississippi Oklahoma (with the exception of tribal nations) South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Wyoming Stock image/file photo: A young girl looking at products in a grocery store. Stock image/file photo: A young girl looking at products in a grocery store. GETTY Who Qualifies for Summer EBT? Children are eligible for Summer EBT if they participate in certain assistance programs or receive free or reduced-price school meals. Eligible groups include: Children in households enrolled in SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Medicaid (in participating states). Students attending schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and who meet income guidelines Most eligible families will get the extra benefits automatically. Those who don't but think they qualify can apply through their state's Summer EBT website. Summer EBT funds expire 122 days after being issued, so families should use them as soon as possible. What Can I Buy With Summer EBT? The extra benefits can be used like regular SNAP benefits. You can buy fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, meat, poultry, prepared snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, as well as seeds and plants if you like to grow your own food at home. SNAP benefits cannot be used for certain items, like alcohol, hot prepared meals, vitamins and food supplements, tobacco, cleaning products and other household items.
Axios
11-06-2025
- Business
- 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.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- 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.
