Arkansas wants to tackle childhood hunger this summer, by opting into a summer food program for kids.
One in five children in the Natural State faces hunger, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program aims to bridge the gap in childhood nutrition when schools are out.
Kathy Webb, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, said summers are tough for lower-income families who rely on school meals. She added more than 300,000 children would be eligible for their families to receive grocery-buying benefits.
"All of those kids who qualify for the school lunch program will be able to participate in Summer EBT," Webb explained. "Which means they will be able to get $40 for the three summer months. That's $120 to help provide food."
Webb pointed out the state has until Feb. 15 to submit its plan for the program to the USDA for approval. Based on the number of eligible children, Arkansas could expect an economic impact of more than $68 million from Summer EBT benefits, according to the USDA.
Webb noted to help meet the needs of families in rural communities, groups and schools distribute nutritious meals to kids in the summer through what's known as the Non-Congregate Summer Meal Program. In Russellville, for instance, 900 families picked up 9,000 meals on the Sunday before the Fourth of July.
"Between the rural Non-Congregate Meal Program that schools started last summer and Summer EBT, we're going to see access to summer meals greatly expanded in Arkansas," Webb projected. "Those two programs are long-term strategies with a big impact."
Webb's organization is working with the Departments of Human Services and Education to identify the best way to reach families of eligible kids and raise awareness of these programs across the state.
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Antihunger advocates and relief organizations are gathering at New Mexico's State Capitol today as part of "Hunger Action Day."
Advocates will urge lawmakers to adopt a budget including $30 million over the next three years for New Mexico's five food banks.
Katy Anderson, vice president of strategy, partnerships and advocacy for Roadrunner Food Bank, said the money would help its 500 statewide partners close the meal gap.
"Many of our partners are in the basement of a church or in some kind of very small buildings and they might not have appropriate refrigeration or freezers or racks," Anderson explained. "So, some of that funding will help to support building up that infrastructure."
Every day, one in five New Mexico children face hunger or food insecurity. Anderson fears the number could rise if federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program come about. GOP lawmakers have proposed severe cuts to SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and more.
For every one meal New Mexico's food banks are able to provide, SNAP provides nine, according to Anderson, who emphasized cuts to eligibility or benefits would be felt broadly.
"Roughly 22% to 23% of our entire population in New Mexico relies on SNAP benefits," Anderson reported. "The communities that are going to be the most hard hit are the rural communities."
New Mexico is one of eight states with a universal school meals policy, which provides free school meals to students regardless of income. As the Trump administration searches for budget cuts, Anderson worries government reimbursements for the program could also be slashed or eliminated.
"What is that going to mean from a federal perspective?" Anderson asked. "Because federal funds do come in to support that. If they shift that funding model, that could mean our state is left holding the bag to do this incredible program with a lot less federal funds."
In addition to Roadrunner, New Mexico's Food Depot, the Community Pantry in Gallup, Farmington's Echo and the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis provide supplemental food to the state's 33 counties. More information is online at rrfb.org/coalition.
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Food insecurity is rising in Indiana.
A Feeding Indiana's Hungry study found 76% of surveyed households expect to need food assistance as often or more in the next year. Nearly two-thirds of those who receive monthly assistance run out of benefits within two weeks.
Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said more than 70% of respondents had to choose between food and transportation, while over half had to choose between food and housing.
"The stark reality revealed by this study is really a wake-up call for all of us," Bryant emphasized. "It's unacceptable that so many Hoosiers are forced to make impossible choices between feeding your families and covering basic needs like transportation and housing."
Bryant noted many skipped meals. Some faced even tougher choices, like food or medical care.
The survey showed having a job is not always enough. Bryant pointed out more than half of surveyed households had at least one working adult. Many who were unemployed cited illness or disability. Others lost benefits because their income was just over the limit. Some missed paperwork deadlines and lost benefits.
"Even those who are accessing the federal nutrition programs, it's not enough and that's where the charitable sector continues to feel that gap," Bryant stressed. "In the climate that we're talking about right now, we need to make sure that the program is not being cut."
Feeding Indiana's Hungry is calling for action, saying food banks need donations, volunteers, and stronger policy support to keep up with demand. Bryant argued federal and state programs must do more to ensure families do not go hungry.
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The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting sponsor applications for its 2025 Summer Meal Programs.
The Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option, for schools that operate the National School Lunch Program, provide summer meals for students 18 years old and younger.
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said more than 11,000 organizations have participated in the past.
"We reimburse people that provide those summer meals," he said. "Now we work with schools, we work with community organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, libraries, community centers, faith-based organizations, churches."
First-time sponsors must apply by April 15. Previous sponsors have until May 1. Applications are available at SquareMeals.org.
Miller said the agriculture department hopes to reach children in rural areas, those with a large concentration of migrant workers, and places where more than 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
"It's real easy for people who want to find these summer meal locations. Between June 1 and the end of August they can find a site," he said. "All you do is dial 211, they'll ask what your ZIP code is where you live, and they'll give you a site close to you. Or if you want to go on the web you can visit summerfood.org."
Although federal funds for some programs are being cut, he said, he's not concerned about the summer food program; adding that "feeding hungry children is not a frivolous expense."
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