Sen. Ossoff Urges Gov. Kemp to Reverse Course, Accept Summer School Lunch Funding for Georgia Children in 2025

This spring, thousands of Georgia parents petitioned the Governor to reverse his decision & accept Federal funding for summer school lunches

According to 11Alive Atlanta, nearly 64% of Georgia public school students qualify for free and reduced lunch

Atlanta, Ga. - For months, Governor Brian Kemp has faced backlash for refusing tens of millions of dollars to help Georgia children and their families afford lunch during the summer months. Today, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is calling on the Governor to change course and accept Federal funds to ensure Georgia children don't go hungry.

This week, Sen. Ossoff and members of Georgia's Congressional Delegation urged Gov. Kemp to reverse course and apply for next year's program so that Georgia children don't go hungry and can receive meals during the summer of 2025.

Gov. Kemp has until next Thursday, August 15, 2024, to submit initials plans to the USDA for next summer's program.

"Committing to participate in Summer EBT in 2025 is a simple, commonsense step that will ensure that every child in our state, regardless of where they live, has access to food when they need it most," Sen. Ossoff and the group wrote. "States that refuse to participate in Summer EBT for unsubstantiated reasons are needlessly putting children in jeopardy during the summer months."

According to a report by the Food and Research Action Center, there are almost 1.2 million low-income children in Georgia who are automatically eligible for this benefit but cannot participate due to Gov. Kemp's decision to opt out of the program.

The letter is also signed by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-07), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), and David Scott (GA-13).

Sen. Ossoff and the Georgia Congressional Delegation's letter can be found here.

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