Child hunger must never be a political ploy

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

That’s why it was shocking to learn that more than a dozen Republican governors have refused to participate in a bipartisan federal food program that helps 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 after the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, which Congress authorized when COVID-19 led to extended school closures. This meant that children from low-income families lost access to free breakfast and lunch at school, in some cases 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. Families with income requirements will receive up to $40 per child per month for three summer months to help cover the cost of food at grocery stores and farmers markets.

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 declined to participate (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas) are in the South, where average food insecurity and poverty rates are highest.

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. By 2022, one in three black children will 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 the temporary pandemic EBT program found that the program reduced child food insecurity by a third, saving 2.7 million to 3.9 million children from hunger. did. 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 was supposed to provide the state with nearly $38 million in federal funds and help more than 320,000 children, but Governor Tate Reeves said the program would “expand the welfare state.” He refused to participate because he was trying to do so.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said the program “lacks basic nutritional requirements,” but this is because the program does not allow parents to use EBT at their disposal for groceries. This seems to refer to the fact that money is preloaded directly onto the card. In contrast to the Governor’s Office, this program legitimately trusts parents to make informed decisions about their children’s nutritional needs and health.

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 the cost for Alabama would be about $10 million to $20 million. That may sound like a lot, but consider the following: Alabama has already spent $1 billion over the past three years to build one prison.

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, not only would it have fed an estimated 2 million children, it would have pumped more than $388.44 million into 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 families have to go to places where meals are provided when they don’t have easy access to transportation or even nearby food options. 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 lawmakers to follow Nebraska’s lead and change policy to make the right choices for our 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.