MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama was one of 14 states that declined to participate in a federal program that gives summer food assistance to low-income families with school age children, prompting advocates on Wednesday to urge lawmakes to reverse course and join the program.
At a public hearing on the proposed education budget, several organizations urged legislators to set aside funding for Alabama to participate in 2025.
“Every child deserves the chance to grow learn and dream without the burden of hunger weighing them down,” Rhonda Mann, executive director of VOICES for Alabama’s Children told the Finance and Taxation-Education Committee.
The program called Summer EBT, or Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, provides families $40 per month for each child receiving free and reduced-price school lunches. That would be about $120 to spend on groceries over the summer break. The program is intended to augment existing summer meal sites to help combat food insecurity in the summer months.
New Orleans man pleads guilty in 2016 shooting death of Jefferson Parish deputy
Speaker Johnson to meet with Trump, offers Marjorie Taylor Greene advisory role as own job teeters
Democrats pounce on Arizona Supreme Court's abortion ruling
Marcus Sasser leads Pistons past Mavericks 107
1 person was arrested after 3 people were injured in a 'major incident' at a Welsh school
Rudy Gobert's big night lifts Timberwolves past Hawks and into a first
Retiring Chairman Sean McManus leaves CBS Sports with its critical properties locked up long
Max Homa is among a group of Masters contenders who are vying for their first major title
China's envoy in Washington urges U.S. to avoid Thucydides Trap in bilateral ties
How a Black conservative activist arranged Donald Trump's stop at an Atlanta Chick
Verhaeghe scores OT winner, Bobrovsky makes some fantastic saves, and Panthers top Lightning 3
Democrats pounce on Arizona Supreme Court's abortion ruling