"States' Summer Food Programs: Addressing Child Hunger and Prioritizing Low-Income Kids"

Mississippi has rejected federal funds for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, which aims to provide food assistance to children during the summer months. The program, made permanent starting in 2024, will benefit nearly 21 million children in the U.S. and its territories, but Mississippi, along with several other states, has opted out for this summer. Eligible families will receive $40 per month per child through the program, but Mississippi's rejection raises concerns about child hunger in the state.