TYLER, Texas — Texas has decided not to participate in a federal program aimed at helping low-income families provide meals for their children during the summer break.
This means the state is missing out on $450 million in federal tax dollars that could have supported eligible families. The federal nutrition program would have provided meals for 3.8 million children, but Texas is one of only 15 states opting out.
Locally, the East Texas Food Bank is reassuring families who may be worried about feeding their child during the summer.
"The East Texas Food Bank has been providing summer meals to kids for a really long time. It's just part of our natural programming. While this would have been a nice boon for our families to have, it doesn't mean that they won't have food," said Kim Morris, chief impact officer at the East Texas Food Bank.
Last summer alone, the food bank served over 43,000 meals to kids at over 37 sites across East Texas. Morris hopes to expand this reach to 50 sites this year, meaning more places to feed children in need.
While Morris isn't concerned about providing summer meals, she noted that the food bank could use some help in other areas.
"We're looking for new summer feeding sites. We're looking for sponsors, and we're looking for support and volunteers any way we can," Morris said.
Volunteering could make a big difference in a child's life, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer.
"When school goes away in summer, those kids do lose an opportunity to get food, get fed," Morris said.