For many students across Maryland, summer break is an exciting time to look forward to, filled with warm weather and relaxing time with friends. But for many families struggling with food insecurity, summer also brings a real challenge: losing access to the free school meals their children rely on.
For thousands of children across the District, the end of the school year means more than a break from the classroom. Summer break means losing access to healthy breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school day. During the summer months, families often face higher grocery bills while children lose a dependable source of nutritious meals.
The third summer of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program is currently underway. Thirty-eight states, the District of Columbia, five Indian Tribal Organizations, and five U.S. territories are at work sending millions of families across the country grocery benefits that can help ensure their children remain fed throughout the summer months. Despite being a newer program, best practices around multiple aspects of implementation have already begun to emerge, and increasing redemption rates is an important part of ensuring the program’s success.