CHILD NUTRITION: Murray Outlines New Bill to Tackle Summer Hunger

U.S. Senator Patty Murray delivered a speech on the Senate floor to introduce the Stop Child Summer Hunger Act, which would provide families who have children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. During the academic year, millions of kids from low-income families are able to get free or reduced-priced meals at school, so they can get the nutrition they need to learn in class. But when school lets out for the summer, many of those same kids lose access to regular meals, which leaves them without the nutrition they need to lead healthy lives. The Stop Child Summer Hunger Act is modeled on the successful Summer EBT for Children demonstration project that has been piloted in 14 sites and 10 states and Indian Tribal Organizations. This pilot has seen positive results, decreasing hunger among children by 33 percent. During her speech, Senator Murray told the story of a single mother from Washington state who struggles to provide for her two children during the summer months.