On August 11, No Kid Hungry New York joined Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Commissioner Barbara Guinn, Congressman Dan Goldman, Grand Street Settlement CEO Robert Cordero and Manuela Ceballos with LINC at an event highlighting how New York State is continuing to connect families with critical food assistance this summer through Summer EBT. We were also thrilled to be joined by state and local elected officials including Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assembly Members Maritza Davila, Jennifer Gonzalez-Rojas, Khaleel Anderson, and Chantel Jackson, and Council Member Harvey Epstein.
During the press conference, Governor Hochul announced that more than $216 million in Summer EBT benefits have already been distributed to more than 1.8 million children across New York State.
The event also highlighted the real-world impact of Summer EBT. Manuela shared how the benefits help her family afford groceries and put food on the table during the summer months.
No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella spoke at the event about the importance of Summer EBT and other nutrition programs.
“Summertime can be the most challenging time of year for families already struggling to keep up with the shockingly high grocery bills that have become emblematic of the affordability crisis facing our country. Summer EBT provides $120 in grocery benefits for every eligible child in New York to make it easier for families to afford food when their kids are on summer break. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul for championing Summer EBT, now in its third year, and recognizing that families need practical help year-round, including free school meals statewide and an expanded child tax credit. These programs are lifelines, providing families with support as costs continue to rise.”
Summer EBT is one part of a broader network of programs that can help families afford food, including SNAP, universal school meals, and the expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit.
No Kid Hungry New York is proud to work alongside state and local leaders, OTDA, schools, community organizations, and other partners to expand awareness of Summer EBT and help ensure that every child has access to the food they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
To learn more about Summer EBT and access No Kid Hungry New York’s Summer EBT Outreach toolkit, click here.
Missed the event? Watch the Governor’s Summer EBT press conference on YouTube. (Coverage begins at 9:45 in the video.)
