Sherry Brooks-Nelson, a retiree and sole provider for her two teenage granddaughters, benefited from Nebraska’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, which provided extra funds for families to buy fresh produce during the summer. Initially, Governor Jim Pillen rejected the federal funds but later changed his decision after advocacy from lawmakers and young Nebraskans. The program helped over 76,000 households in the state.
While Nebraska embraced the summer EBT program, neighboring state Iowa chose not to participate, citing concerns about childhood obesity rates. Advocates in Iowa noted an increase in food pantry usage compared to the previous year when pandemic benefits were available, highlighting the impact of not opting into the program.
Advocates emphasized the importance of programs like summer EBT alongside other food and nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC to strengthen food and nutrition security for families. They stressed the need for multiple supportive programs working together to prevent hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for children and families in need. In Nebraska, the summer EBT program was seen as a lifeline for families, especially in rural areas where summer meal sites may not be easily accessible.
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