Greetings, fellow Arkansans! Some thrilling news – Governor Sanders has just made the grand announcement that Arkansas is all set to launch a Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program to provide food assistance to families with children eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the summer months. This wonderful program, known as Summer EBT, will kick off this year and will provide $120 in food benefits for each qualifying child.
The Governor is absolutely buzzing with excitement about this, expressing deep concern for ensuring that no one in Arkansas, especially children, goes hungry. Harnessing every available resource to combat this crisis is crucial, and Summer EBT is a promising new tool to ensure that Arkansas children have access to the food and nutrition they need.
Senator John Boozman is fully supportive of this innovative initiative, emphasising the significance of nutrition for children both inside and outside the classroom. It’s evident that the government is committed to updating and enhancing the summer meals program to reach more children in need, ensuring that states have multiple options, including the summer EBT program, to address the issue of food insecurity.
DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva are also standing in solidarity with the Governor and Senator Boozman in endorsing Summer EBT. They have both underlined the vital importance of ensuring that no child goes hungry, especially during the summer months when school meals are not available.
The Summer EBT program will be implemented through pre-loaded EBT cards, similar to those used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making it convenient for families to purchase groceries. And here’s the exciting part – students who receive SNAP benefits are automatically eligible for Summer EBT. Additionally, students attending NSLP schools and eligible for free and reduced meals will also automatically receive Summer EBT benefits.
The icing on the cake? This program is federally funded, with the administrative costs being split between federal and state funding.
For Governor Sanders, tackling food insecurity, particularly among children, is a top priority. She has already taken steps to provide free breakfast and lunch to students who were previously on reduced meals at school, and her team is diligently working on a plan to address this critical issue.
The Summer EBT program is a major victory for Arkansas, thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing it to life. This marks a significant step towards ensuring that our children have the nutrition they need to thrive and flourish.
So, let’s give a standing ovation to all those who are working tirelessly to make this program a reality. Together, we can ensure that no child in Arkansas has to go without the food they need to thrive. Here’s to a brighter and better future!
