The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will not be participating in Summer EBT this year. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller said it’s a travesty the state has opted to forgo funding for eligible children to receive meals over the summer.
“These are federal dollars being used to feed kids in low-income families who otherwise might not have enough food to eat even though there are so many families in Louisiana struggling with food insecurity and it’s a shame we’re not taking advantage of this opportunity,” said Moeller.
DCFS issued a statement that families deserve a pathway to self-sufficiency, and they are forgoing piecemeal programs that have more strings attached versus long-term solutions as a reason for opting out of the program. Moeller blames Governor Jeff Landry for the decision that ultimately hurts children.
“There’s one person responsible for this and it’s Governor Jeff Landry. The press release mentioned something about personal responsibility, but the fact is that most families who get SNAP are working, they are working very hard. They just don’t make enough money to make ends meet,” said Moeller.
Moeller said if Louisiana had opted in $71 million in federal funds would have been designated for the Summer EBT program.
“That would have been spent, directly in every community in the state as families bought groceries with that money. Instead, Louisiana’s federal taxes are going to be used to feed hungry kids in other states, but not in Louisiana,” said Moeller.
Moeller said Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in the country and the third-highest child poverty rate in the US.
DCFS said existing feeding programs remain in effect, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides about $166 million in benefits on average each month to over 880,000 Louisianans, including about 390,000 children.
Comments