Child hunger should never be a political ploy  

If there’s one issue that brings lawmakers across the aisle together, it’s child hunger.

That’s why more than a dozen Republican governors refused to enroll in bipartisan federal food programs; That would help low-income parents put food on the table over the summer. Apparently, even the effort to feed hungry children is little more than political showmanship.

The program is modeled on: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Program; This was approved by Congress when schools were closed for an extended period due to the coronavirus pandemic. This meant that children from low-income families lost access to free breakfast and lunch at school, sometimes the only guaranteed meal of the day. The program proved so successful that Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted to establish a permanent summer EBT program in 2022.for Households with applicable incomeprovides up to $40 per month per child for three months during the summer to help cover the cost of food at the grocery store and farmers market.

The Summer EBT program is scheduled to benefit 21 million children in 2024, but an additional 10 million children in states that decline funding face the possibility of going to bed hungry. Importantly, the seven states that refused to participate are in the South: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Regions with the highest average food insecurity and poverty rates.

Because of centuries of systemic racial violence and discriminatory policies, many of which continue today, Black children are more likely to experience food insecurity than children of other races. Masu. In 2022, 1 in 3 people Black children did not have reliable access to food. It is indefensible that these governors (all of whom are white) shrugged their shoulders and said “no thanks” when given the opportunity to help black families advance.

It’s hard to see how their arguments are anything other than scoring political points against the Biden administration. A study of a temporary pandemic EBT program found that the program reduced food insecurity among children by a third; 2.7 million and 3.9 million children saved from hunger. It also supported children’s healthy eating habits with increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

So why deny millions of dollars in federal funding to programs that are proven to work for children and families?

In Mississippi, the summer EBT program would have provided the state with nearly $38 million in federal funding and helped more than 320,000 children, but Governor Tate Reeves declined to participate due to the program’s implementation. did. “We are trying to expand the welfare state.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said of the program: “Lack of basic nutritional requirements” This likely refers to the fact that the program preloads money directly onto EBT cards for parents to spend freely on groceries. In contrast to the Governor’s Office, this program legitimately trusts parents to make informed decisions about their children’s nutritional needs and health status.

Other states also cited administrative concerns for not registering. The program was previously paid entirely by the federal government, but now each state must pay 50% of the administrative costs. For example, experts estimate it will cost Alabama. Around $10 million to $20 million. This may sound like a lot, but think about it this way. Alabama has already spent $1 billion We have built one prison in the last three years.

Additionally, states are being asked to invest money up front, and the benefits are incredible not only for families but for the economy as well. If Florida had participated in the summer EBT program, it would not only have fed an estimated 2 million children; More than $388.44 million was contributed to the local economy.

Many of these states cite their own established food assistance programs as the basis for refusing funding. However, what they fail to mention is that these programs do not reach all families in need and, while important, families are not able to be on site to eat prepared meals. This means that it is often necessary. This means that families have to go to places where meals are provided when they don’t have easy access to transportation or even a nearby place to eat. Summer EBT programs allow parents to cook at home and accommodate cultural and dietary needs.

There is no excuse for children to be food insecure in our country, especially when successful programs like Summer EBT are in place. The deadline for states to secure federal funding this summer has passed, but many states are currently negotiating their 2025 budgets. We urge legislators to: Follow Nebraska’s lead And change course to make the right choice for your children. Children should be able to enjoy summer without fear of hunger.

margaret fan He is president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center and its lobbying arm, the SPLC Action Fund.