A recent poll from No Kid Hungry Texas reveals a troubling reality: Texans are struggling more than ever to afford groceries, leading to widespread food insecurity across the state. This issue worsens during the summer months when families lose access to school meals they depend on. The solution? Summer EBT—a program that 87% of Texans strongly support and want to see implemented this year.
Summer EBT delivers grocery benefits directly to families with kids eligible for free or reduced-price meals, helping offset the increased cost of groceries families face in the absence of school meals. With an extra $40 per child each month, more than half of parents and caregivers say they use the benefits to purchase healthier foods, like prioritizing meat and fish (56%) as well as fresh produce (52%).
“I could actually make my kids healthier meals for once instead of instant noodles and nuggets. My kids will be excited to eat,” shared a mom from Brazos County.
Texas has an opportunity to provide this critical benefit to 3.75 million kids this year, bringing over $450 million in federal dollars into the state and generating up to $1.62 billion in local economic activity.
The poll results make it clear: Texans want more action to combat child hunger and they see Summer EBT as key to winning the fight against it. 87% of Texas across the political spectrum, including nearly all (97%) self-identified Democrats, 92% of Independents and 75% of Republicans.
The poll shows a strong demand for more action from elected officials to combat food insecurity. An overwhelming 97% of Texans agree that child hunger should not exist, and 96% believe that ending childhood hunger should be a bipartisan priority.
With widespread public support and bipartisan backing, Texas has an extraordinary opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of its children by implementing Summer EBT this year and beyond.