BILL AIMS TO STOP CHILD HUNGER OVER SUMMER

The USDA’s summer meal programs reach only a fraction of children who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches during the school year. Now, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has introduced a bill that would provide families whose children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals with the cost equivalent of free breakfasts and lunches during the summer break. This summer food supplement would initially give families an extra $150 per school-age child. It would be loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer card like the one used for SNAP benefits. As with SNAP, the families could use their cards only to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Source:  Poverty & Policy, 6/9/14, Summer Meals