As the school year ends, so does the promise of reliable daily meals for some students. Sustaining nutrition, however, is crucial for children’s development. Various federal, state and local resources seek to provide food to food-insecure families through several avenues, including a new federally funded Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program (Summer EBT).
This nutrition assistance program will disburse a one-time payment of $120 per child to assist families with summer food costs. Students who attended a qualifying public school during the 2023-24 school year and who applied and qualified for free and reduced lunches through the National School Lunch Program are automatically eligible. So are students who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), TennCare (Medicaid) and Families First (TANF). Those who aren’t enrolled in the aforementioned programs and fit the income guidelines may still apply to receive Summer EBT here.
The Summer EBT one-time disbursements will begin distribution in June. Cards will be sent in the mail and will be accepted where SNAP benefits are accepted. To learn more about the program and income guidelines, or to update student records and addresses, visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.
Students in the Metro Nashville Public School System receive free meals during the school year. Even so, those who are not enrolled in Community Eligibility Provision schools are encouraged to sign up for free and reduced lunches because it can connect them to different financial assistance services like the Summer EBT program.
Families looking for additional food assistance programs can find resources through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. In Nashville, the Metro Action Commission also distributes meals to different locations like community centers across the city.
