As President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, I have seen firsthand the increased demand from families with children during this time. The Summer EBT program provides a vital solution to combat food insecurity among children when school is out.

Summer EBT is a new USDA initiative that provides low-income families with school-aged children up to $120 in food benefits during the summer months when schools are closed. These benefits are 100% federally funded, with administrative costs shared equally between the state and federal governments.

The USDA estimates that 3.75 million Texas children could receive approximately $450 million in federal food aid through Summer EBT. This funding would help combat hunger, boost food retailers, and support local economies across our state, particularly small businesses in rural areas.

In the counties served by the North Texas Food Bank, an estimated $60 million in Summer EBT benefits would directly benefit nearly 500,000 children and provide economic support for local businesses in North Texas. More than 3,100 children in Fannin County could benefit from approximately $378,000 with the Summer EBT program.

It is crucial that the Legislature directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to implement Summer EBT by March 1 to ensure the program is up and running by summer 2025. Join us by sending a letter to your state senator and representative urging them to prioritize Texas children facing hunger by supporting the implementation of Summer EBT in 2025. You can send a letter using this link https://secure.feedingtexas.org/a/summerebt.