Students eat lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, in March. Utah was among the 13 states that declined to participate in a federal program that aims to feed children during the summer months when they don’t get free or reduced-price meals at school. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
A new, permanent summer grocery program will help nearly 21 million kids across 37 states get enough to eat this year while school’s out.
But 13 states with Republican governors have opted out of the federal program, citing their opposition to what they deride as “welfare” and their unwillingness to cover administrative costs.
Under the new $2.5 billion program created by Congress, eligible low-income households will receive a total of $120 per child over the three summer months when school-based free and reduced-price lunch programs aren’t available.
Washington, D.C., several territories and tribal nations also are participating. Families making up to 185% of the federal poverty level, or $57,720 for a family of four, are eligible.