Representatives from the Iowa Hunger Coalition have met with state officials, hoping to convince Governor Kim Reynolds that Iowa should participate in a federal program NEXT summer that provides extra food for kids in low-income households. The program provides an extra $120 a month in summertime federal food assistance for each child who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch at school. Reynolds cited administrative costs when she turned down the federal funds for the so-called “Summer EBT” program this year. Luke Elzinga, a spokesman for the coalition, says the USDA has announced it will provide grants to states, to cover technology expenses associated with the benefits.
Elzinga says food pantries across the state are overwhelmed.
Elzinga works for the Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantries, which saw record use in July.
The Iowa Hunger Coalition delivered a petition to the governor’s office last week that was signed by over 3,500 Iowans, urging Reynolds to accept the extra federal food benefits next summer.
