Published September 3, 2025

September is National Kinship Care Month, making this an ideal time to reflect on the importance of kinship caregivers who are raising children, and actions to help kinship families and grandfamilies put food on the table.  

Around the U.S., approximately 2.5 million children are being raised by grandparents, other adult family members, or close family friends because their parents are unable to do so. These families, known as grandfamilies or kinship families, provide needed stability, connection, and care. 

While there are numerous and lasting benefits of grandfamilies and kinship families, many face struggles with the sudden expansion of the household. Grandparents and kin caregivers may be on a fixed income, have to move to more costly housing to add space for children, or have other circumstances that can make it more difficult to put food on the table. And with rising costs for food and other basic needs, household budgets may be especially strapped. 

The federal nutrition programs can help. These programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), school meals, summer and afterschool nutrition programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), provide essential support that improves nutrition, health, and economic security for households with low incomes. Research shows that the benefits of program participation are especially powerful for children and for older adults, making them important resources for grandfamilies. 

Efforts are needed to ensure more grandfamilies and kinship families are aware of the essential support available from federal nutrition programs and to assist them in accessing programs for which they are eligible. 

The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (Network) is the national technical assistance center for those who serve kinship families and grandfamilies. The Network, led by Generations United, brings together the leading experts on kinship and grandfamilies, including those who bring the fundamental expertise of being a grandfamily member, to improve supports and services for grandfamilies and kinship families.  

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) serves as the nutrition subject matter expert for the Network and focuses on strategies and resources to help connect more eligible grandfamilies and kinship families to nutrition programs.  

Join FRAC in celebrating grandparents and kin caregivers this Grandparents Day — and year-round — by helping to connect grandfamilies and kinship families to federal nutrition programs. Use these resources to get started or ramp up your work:  

  • Request technical assistance related to food insecurity and other issues affecting grandfamilies and kinship families in your community via this form. 
  • Learn more from Network resources on federal nutrition programs developed by FRAC: