This month marked a significant victory in the fight against child hunger as New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Summer EBT program. At an event hosted by the Lower East Side Girls Club, key leaders and partners gathered to celebrate this important step forward in ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months.
The Summer EBT program provides eligible families with funds to purchase groceries when school is out of session. For many children, summer can be a particularly challenging time because they lose access to school meals, which are often a critical source of daily nutrition. Through Summer EBT, eligible families can receive $120 per child which can be used at participating grocery stores to buy nutritious food, helping bridge the gap during these months.
With nearly $200 million in federal funds, the program is set to assist 1.5 million children across New York State.
The program launch featured remarks from Governor Hochul, Congressman Dan Goldman, representatives from the Lower East Side Girls and No Kid Hungry New York’s Director, Rachel Sabella.
“For hundreds of thousands of New York families, an extra $120 per child can be the difference between kids having healthy meals in the summertime or facing hunger. It can mean parents and caregivers not having to face impossible choices like whether to buy groceries or keep the lights on. Summer EBT is a smart policy No Kid Hungry has been championing for more than a decade – and one that promises to be a gamechanger in addressing the longstanding summer hunger crisis. I want to thank Governor Hochul, our New York Congressional delegation and the State Legislature for getting this program underway here in New York and spreading the word to eligible families,” said Rachel Sabella.
With benefits now rolling out to families across the state, early feedback from families and partners suggests that the program is making a positive impact.
This launch reflects the strength of collaboration between government and community organizations. As the No Kid Hungry team continues to work closely with partners at every level, the commitment to ensuring that no child in New York goes hungry remains unwavering.
For more information on the Summer EBT program and to view the full press conference, check out the video on YouTube or read more here.