Dear Superintendent Walters, Thank you for Oklahoma’s commitment to feeding children this past summer through the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. Because of your dedication 431,000 children are estimated to receive summer benefits totaling $51,700,000 to help their families put healthy food on the table.
Summer EBT benefits are an excellent tool for States to address food insecurity among children while school is out of session. Demonstration projects have shown providing children with targeted EBT benefits over the summer months reduces child food insecurity and increases consumption of healthier foods.
In addition, research on summer benefits provided early during the pandemic helped significantly reduce the number of families with children experiencing food insecurity. As we move past the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of a new school year, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to you and your staff for the incredible commitment you have shown making sure children have had continued access to healthy food. We know it has not always been easy.
We are also excited to partner with you on the new, permanent tools Congress has provided us to support child food and nutrition security during the summer. FNS is committed to supporting States for a nationwide launch of the new Summer EBT program in 2024, and we look forward to working with you and your teams on this historic opportunity.
