Nearly 10 million children all around the United States could experience more food insecurity next summer as the January 1 deadline looms for states to determine whether to join the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program. Providing $120 per child throughout the summer to buy food, the federally funded program, sometimes referred to as SUN Bucks, gives a lifeline to families with school-age children.
Still, a dozen GOP-led states are poised to turn away a total $1.14 billion in federal aid, potentially depriving millions of youngsters of vital nutrition. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing hunger, has raised the alarm about the potential consequences.
“Summer can be the hungriest time for children,” said Crystal FitzSimons, FRAC’s interim president. “This funding is an opportunity for states to ensure children have access to the nutrition they need to grow, thrive, and return to school ready to learn. No child should have to go hungry during the summer months, especially when solutions like Summer EBT exist.”
States poised to decline federal aid
The 12 states currently planning not to participate in the Summer EBT program include Idaho, Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. The other states, Washington, D.C., all U.S. territories, and several Native American tribes like the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations, have also pledged to the initiative.
FRAC notes the program’s track record of effectiveness, citing last summer when SUN Bucks helped close the gap for 21 million children spread over 37 states. The program lessens the burden on food banks and meal distribution centers, which sometimes struggle to satisfy demand over the summer months when school meal programs are absent by directly helping families with their finances.
Bipartisan support for Summer EBT
While the program lacks widespread name recognition, polling shows that, upon learning about its advantages, people show strong bipartisan support. Data for Progress last summer conducted a poll showing that voters from all political backgrounds supported the proposal once it was presented. This wide support emphasizes the extent to which the program may bring Americans together around a shared objective: making sure that no child goes hungry.
Advocates emphasize that hunger is a nonpartisan problem and urge GOP-led states to give children’s welfare top priority above political ones.
“Summer EBT should be a no-brainer for states, especially with the rising cost of food and families struggling to make ends meet,” said FitzSimons. “No child should spend the summer months hungry, and no parent should have to worry about how to feed their children. The stakes are too high for states to sit this one out.”
A call to action
FRAC and other advocacy groups are stepping up their campaigns to get state officials to turn around as the January 1 deadline approaches. Especially in states with high rates of poverty and food insecurity, they contend that the advantages of participation greatly exceed any alleged negative effects.
In places where people already encounter obstacles to obtaining food, the stakes can be especially significant.
For millions of youngsters, this initiative provides a bridge toward a better future rather than only a safety net. Proponents urge governors to set aside politics and act responsibly for their citizens.
The broader impact
Should the 12 states carry out their intended opt-out strategy, the effects will extend beyond individual households. Already stretched food banks may encounter more demand; local businesses might lose out on the economic boost this federal money offers. Communities may witness a knock-on effect for every dollar spent through programs like Summer EBT as these funds are most frequently used to buy food locally.
Advocates argue that declining these funds amounts to leaving money on the table at a time when families need it most.
South Carolina did not take part in the program last summer either. Democratic legislators from South Carolina blasted Gov. Henry McMaster on his decision to opt-out of the program.
“The problem is that the governor decided to unilaterally reject those funds without consulting with the legislature,” State Sen. Deon Tedder (D-Charleston) said earlier this year. “So, unfortunately, South Carolina will not be participating, leaving thousands of children hungry this summer.”
These GOP-led states’ decision to potentially decide to opt out of the Summer EBT program raises important questions regarding the role of government in reducing poverty and hunger.
The decisions state officials make as the deadline approaches near will have significant effects on millions of children and their families. The message is obvious for supporters: no child should go hungry, particularly in light of easily available solutions.
Whether these states heed that call remains to be seen.
