KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Thousands of Tennessee families will head into another summer without additional food assistance as the state once again opts out of the federal Summer EBT program, leaving parents and food banks preparing for increased demand.
While lawmakers recently approved funding to bring the program back, it will not take effect until 2027, creating a gap that families say will be difficult to manage.
For Knoxville mother Mariah Hodsden, feeding her blended family of six boys is already a daily challenge, especially when school is out and meals are no longer provided…