Schools are typically where low-income children get free or reduced breakfast or lunch when classes are in session. Those children can go hungry during the summer months, says Melanie Brummeler, Assistant Director with the Michigan Department of Education.
This summer eligible families will be able to receive money for certain foods through the new Summer EBT program.
“We’ve estimated the number of potential eligible students to receive the benefit is between 800-900,000 student across the state of Michigan.”
Low-income families will now receive $40 a month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to buy groceries including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The cash will come via electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, and will be added to food assistance debit cards.
The deadline to enroll in Summer EBT is this Wednesday, January 31. Its available to families of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch, already enrolled through their local school districts.
“This is a new child nutritional program and these don’t come around very often so we’re very happy and excited to roll this out.”
Brummeler says families will be contacted with more information in the coming months.
