Senator Stabenow Announces Permanent Funding for Summer Meals for School-Aged Children and Expanded Flexibility to Meet Children’s Needs in Grand Rapids

Senator Stabenow’s Legislative Victory will feed 21 million children across the country and almost 900,000 in Michigan this summer

Thursday, June 27, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – As students begin their summer vacations, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was joined by community leaders in Grand Rapids to announce new summer meal options for school-aged children in Michigan and across the country. This new funding targets the summer hunger gap where millions of children lose access to school breakfasts and lunches they receive during the school year.

Senator Stabenow was joined by Dr. Diane Golzynski, the Deputy Superintendent for Business, Health, and Library Services for the Michigan Department of Education, Patrick Placzkowski, the CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids, Jessie Verville, the 2-1-1 Director at the Heart of West Michigan United Way, and Mike Harris, a Boys and Girls Club Alumni and retired Grand Rapids Police Officer at Seidman Boys & Girls Club. Seidman Boys & Girls Club serves traditional summer lunch to the children of Grand Rapids.

“Summer should be a time when children can learn, grow, and play without worrying about where their next meal will come from. I’m so proud that the Governor and the State Legislature have acted to make sure every Michigan child has access to healthy meals during the school year. My legislative victory is focused on making sure children have the same access to healthy meals in the summer regardless of where they live in Michigan. This is bringing us one step closer to ending childhood hunger,” said Senator Stabenow.

“While in Congress, Senator Stabenow has worked hard to expand access to nutritious school meals for children in Michigan and across the nation,”said Dr. Diane Golzynski, Deputy Superintendent for Business, Health, and Library Services for the Michigan Department of Education. “We will miss her leadership. Michigan is proud to have worked with Senator Stabenow to be a leader in both summer and school meals. With over 1,400 locations where children can eat meals on-site and nearly 400 locations statewide for pick-up meals at Rural Meals To Go sites, parents have options for finding healthy food for their children this summer. Meeting the nutritional needs of children both at school and during the summer months support Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, which is to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners.”

“Access to tasty, nutritious food is so important to the kids and teens in our neighborhood, and such a help to their families. This is especially true in the summer break, while the kids are out of school. The summer food programs are essential to keep kids happy and healthy, and help working families stretch their hard-earned dollars. We deeply appreciate Senator Stabenow’s many years of support for these programs, and for all she’s done as a champion for all the children and families in our community, across Michigan, and the nation,” said Patrick Placzkowski, the CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids.

“I’d like to encourage anyone seeking assistance with resources for food, shelter, utilities or any other needs to contact 2-1-1. We’re available by phone 24/7/365, and all calls are completely confidential. Whoever you are, whatever your needs, 2-1-1 is just a phone call away to help get you connected to the best services available to meet your needs,” Jessie Verville, the 2-1-1 Director at the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

“I’ve seen generations of youth come through the Boys & Girls Club, and I know, firsthand, what a difference a good meal can make for a kid. And what it means to be that parent, to know their child can come to a safe space, where they feel like they belong, have trusted adults, good times with new and old friends, and a full belly when they get home,” said Mike Harris, a Boys and Girls Club Alumni and retired Grand Rapids Police Officer.

Summer Meal Programs

There are now three types of summer meals programs for eligible children up to age 18:

Traditional Summer Meals: These congregate summer meals must be eaten on site and typically also offer other enrichment activities. There is no application and meals are free for all kids.

Rural Meals To-Go: These free non-congregate meals, or meals to go, are available in some rural areas. Families can pick up a meal or multiple meals, or have meals delivered to their home through flexible options.

Summer EBT: This grocery benefit provides $120 per child for the summer to eligible low-income children to buy food when school is out. Children are eligible if the household participates in an assistance program like SNAP or Medicaid, or if the child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program and the student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals.

How to Connect to Summer Meals and Programs Near You

Resources to locate the Summer Meals and Rural Meals To-Go sites near you:

Website: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/

Text: “Food” to 304304

Call: 211

Information for Summer EBT:

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/food/summer-ebt

Further Information on Summer Meal Programs for Families and Site Sponsors:

https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/summer

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