Statement attributed to Vince Hall, Interim Chief Government Relations Officer
Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the U.S., strongly supports the recent introduction of these bipartisan bills to ensure no child has to worry about where their next meal will come when school is out:
- Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act of 2021 from Senators Boozman (R-AR) and Leahy (D-VT)
- Stop Child Hunger Act of 2021 from Senator Murray (D-WA) and Representatives Levin (D-CA) and Hayes (D-CT)
- Summer Meals Act of 2021 from Senators Gillibrand (D-NY) and Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Young (R-AK) and Larsen (D-WA)
Congress has a critical opportunity to ensure the summer months aren’t hungry months by passing legislation that will provide more children with more food, particularly during the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization process. Specifically, our decision-makers must strengthen access to summer meals sites, remove red tape that makes it difficult for summer meal providers to serve food, provide a summer EBT grocery card to families with children, and allow flexibilities that will make it easier for kids to access summer meals no matter where they live.
Summer meal providers, such as food banks, must switch between government programs to provide meals during the school year versus when school is out, forcing providers to focus more on burdensome administrative processes than serving meals. These and other rigid program rules have limited the number of summer meal providers available in communities and the strategies providers can use to connect kids with food, leaving too many children in hard-to-reach areas with empty tummies. Our lawmakers must take urgent action to ensure the equitable, efficient delivery of summer meals to our children.
Feeding America estimates that 13 million kids may face food insecurity in 2021 due to the pandemic, making ending child summer hunger more necessary than ever. We look forward to working with our lawmakers, especially the Senate Agriculture Committee and House Education and Labor Committee, to move policies forward that will help keep kids nourished.
Contact
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About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.