Arkansas to Continue Summer EBT Program in 2025
Arkansas is keeping its commitment to helping low-income families during the summer months by extending its participation in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program through 2025. This decision was officially announced by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on November 15, 2024.
The Summer EBT program is designed to alleviate the summer hunger gap by providing grocery-buying benefits to eligible families. These benefits come in the form of pre-loaded EBT cards that allow families to purchase groceries and other essential items they need to keep their children well-nourished when schools are closed for the summer.
Under this program, eligible families receive 0 for each eligible child. This initiative works together with other nutrition assistance programs, such as summer meal sites, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) to ensure that children consistently have access to critical nutrition during the summer break.
The program’s goal is to help bridge the gap in nutrition when kids are no longer receiving meals at school. Governor Huckabee’s announcement underscores the state’s commitment to addressing food insecurity among its most vulnerable populations, especially children who face the risk of malnutrition during the summer months when school meals are not available.
For families seeking additional information about the Summer EBT program, they can call the Summer EBT helpline at 1-833-316-2421. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also funded this initiative, ensuring that these critical benefits are available to those who need them most.
Key Highlights of the Summer EBT Program
- Benefits: Each eligible child receives 0 in food benefits.
- Delivery: Benefits are provided through pre-loaded EBT cards that can be used to purchase groceries.
- Partnerships: The program works in conjunction with other nutrition assistance programs like summer meal sites, SNAP, and WIC.
- Contact Information: Families can call the Summer EBT helpline at 1-833-316-2421 for more information.
Commitment to Nutrition Security
The decision to continue the Summer EBT program is a testament to Arkansas’s dedication to ensuring that all children have access to nutritious food regardless of the time of year. By extending this program through 2025, Governor Huckabee and the state government are committing to address one of the most pressing issues facing low-income families: food insecurity during the summer months.