March 3–7 is National School Breakfast Week, a celebration recognizing the critical role school breakfast plays in students’ health and learning. Research shows that school breakfast improves children’s nutrition, attendance, behavior, and academic performance; however, barriers such as cost and time prevent far too many students from participating in this vital morning meal.
In the summer of 2024, Tennessee participated in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program, which provided $120 in grocery benefits to approximately 700,000 eligible children across the state. While Summer EBT benefit dollars are provided by the federal government, states must match 50 percent of the administrative cost of implementing and operating the program. Tennessee allocated $5.8 million to cover half of Summer EBT administrative costs in 2024, and in return, the state drew down over $77 million in benefits that helped to address childhood food insecurity during the summer months.
More than 55 years since the Honorable Shirley Chisholm made history as the first Black woman elected to Congress, her legacy of fighting for racial justice, voting rights, women’s rights, and more, lives on.
The Summer EBT program helps provide nutrition benefits to children when school is out, but 12 states have opted out for 2025, leaving 9.5 million kids without support and over $1.1 billion in unused funds. Advocates can call representatives, raise awareness, and encourage enrollment to strengthen the program.
The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (AHPC) brings together over 1,000 advocates from all over the country for content-rich sessions, a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, and networking across the anti-hunger community. AHPC 2025 will be held in the familiar halls of the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., May 4–6. You do not want to miss out on this unique opportunity to learn and connect.
