Join No Kid Hungry Texas in Advocating for Summer EBT
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Dear Texas Advocates,
Your voice is crucial in ensuring Texas children have access to essential meals during the summer months. Every summer, millions of Texas children face heightened food insecurity as they lose access to school meals. While kids can access the existing summer meals program, it only reaches a fraction of eligible families.
That’s where Summer EBT can help.
Summer EBT provides eligible families with additional benefits to purchase groceries in the summer— $120 per child. Texas leaders have an opportunity to implement Summer EBT this year and now is the time to act.
On January 29, No Kid Hungry Texas will join forces with Feeding Texas to advocate for kids at the Statehouse in Austin. Please join us virtually by using this action kit to amplify the importance of Summer EBT to your legislators and networks.
Thank you for using your voice and influence on behalf of kids across Texas.
Stacie Sanchez-Hare, Director of No Kid Hungry Texas
Summer EBT Explainer
Summer EBT is a vital resource for the 1 in 4 kids in Texas facing hunger. Traditional summer meals sites, while valuable, reach only a fraction of eligible families due to a variety of barriers. Many families face logistical challenges, such as transportation, work conflicts, lack of nearby meal sites and extreme summer weather. Limited hours of operation and the inconvenience of having to visit a specific location further contribute to the underutilization of the program, leaving many kids without consistent access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
But investing in Summer EBT does more than just address food insecurity. It also strengthens families, communities and businesses across Texas. Hundreds of millions of Summer EBT dollars would provide a significant boost to food retailers and local economies across our state, especially for small businesses in rural communities.
Contact Your State Legislator
Texas policymakers care deeply about what their constituents think and what they care about. Your voice is essential. Please consider sending a direct message to your state legislator - they have the power to fund and implement Summer EBT. Click here to send a pre-drafted email to your state legislator and follow these tips for customizing your message.
Be Personal: Tell your state legislator who you are in your letter and explain why ending summer hunger is important to you, your community or the state.
Be Positive: Encourage your state legislator to join the growing list of states who are ensuring that families can access the summer nutrition options that work best for them.
Spread the Word on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful platform. Help spread the word and build momentum for Summer EBT this year and beyond. Feel free to use the examples below if you need a little inspiration, and be sure to tag @NoKidHungryTexas so we can help amplify your posts.
I’m excited to join @NoKidHungryTexas in fighting for investments in summer meals for Texas children! Programs like Summer EBT, which help families buy food when school is out, are key to addressing child hunger. It’s time for Texas to implement Summer EBT and ensure no child goes hungry this summer. Let’s #EndSummerHunger in the Lone Star State! https://bit.ly/TX-SEBT
Summer has long been the hungriest time of year for kids, especially here in Texas. But with programs like Summer EBT, we can change that. I’m proud to work with @NoKidHungryTexas to fight for this vital program and bring hope to Texas families. #EndSummerHunger https://bit.ly/TX-SEBT
[I’m or We’re] proud to partner with @NoKidHungryTexas to build momentum for Summer EBT in Texas! This program could provide critical food aid to millions of kids across our state, helping to close the summer hunger gap. Together, we can make sure every Texas child has access to the nutrition they need. #EndSummerHunger https://bit.ly/TX-SEBT
This summer, Texas has a chance to lead the way in fighting child hunger! With Summer EBT and expanded summer meal programs, more families can get the support they need. Join @NoKidHungryTexas and me in advocating for these programs statewide. Together, we can #EndSummerHunger in Texas! https://bit.ly/TX-SEBT
Contacts
Questions? Please reach out to Stacie Sanchez Hare, Director, No Kid Hungry Texas, ssanchezhare@Strength.org or your account manager at No Kid Hungry!