TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee said its Summer EBT program will be at risk of not returning this year if Tennessee lawmakers do not approve funding to be included in the state budget by Sunday.
Conference committee members are expected to finalize the state budget this weekend, Second Harvest said in a news release.
The votes needed to approve the final $5 million state investment to continue the program are reportedly lacking, according to Second Harvest. “Without action this weekend, the state would walk away from $84 million in federal funding designated to support food access for children,” the release states.
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“This is an urgent moment,” said Rhonda Chafin, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, in the release. “Failing to act by Sunday means Tennessee children will once again face a summer without reliable food assistance—despite the funding being within reach.”…