NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A new line item in Gov. Bill Lee's budget would give $3 million to a summer feeding program meant to help children in poverty.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously funded the program in conjunction with other community partners known as sponsors.
Between Lee's first budget book and the amendment, it doesn't appear the Summer Food Service Program was a previous line item under the Department of Human Services.
The Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to kids in low-income areas while students are out of school. Nearly 50 years ago, Congress started the program for kids 18 years and younger.
There was also controversy over the state rejecting the federal Summer EBT program, worth about $70 million, and only allocating this $3 million to implement their own, likely smaller, state program. The Department of Finance and Administration said it was meant to bolster the program.
- If approved by the General Assembly, DHS will provide a $120 one-time payment to eligible children in SNAP and TANF households in underserved or unserved counties identified by Tennessee's existing Summer Food Service Program.
- The program will utilize existing EBT cards to provide the one-time payment to families.
- The proposed investment of $3 million will further bolster the existing Summer Food Service Program to reach underserved Tennessee families effectively without relying on the federal government.
"I can’t get my head wrapped around why we turned down the federal money and we’re going to be serving less children," said Sen. Paul Rose, R-Dyersburg.
"I’ve certainly received a lot of correspondence from my very rural district," said state Sen. Page Walley, R-Savannah.
"We’re still spending less money on solving the problem and helping fewer kids," said state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville. "It’s just morally wrong."
It will also help
If you want to help
If you are interested in serving as an SFSP sponsor, site, or volunteer, request access to the online application by emailing TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov.
The annual deadline date for submitting applications from new sponsors is 45 days prior to the proposed beginning of meal service, and no later than May 1.
If you need help
For more information regarding the Summer Food Service Program, please contact us at 615-313-4749 (main line) or TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov (main email address)
Do you have more information about this story? You can email newsroom@newschannel5.com.
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