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

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

LANSING, MICH. – As students begin their summer vacations, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was joined by community leaders in Lansing 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 at Waverly East School by Dr. Michael F. Rice, State Superintendent, Kelly Blake, the Superintendent of Waverly Community Schools, and Dr. Phil Knight, the Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Waverly East School serves a traditional summer breakfast to children.

“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.

“Senator Stabenow has been a tremendous champion for children in Michigan and across the nation,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “Her leadership has provided students with greater access to the food that they need to learn. Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan is to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners. Michigan’s School Meals program during the year and our three summer food programs are an important part of this work. I appreciate Senator Stabenow’s steadfast work to ensure that children eat more regularly and more nutritiously during the school year and over the summer.”

"At Waverly Community Schools, we are committed to supporting our students' health and academic success year-round, and the summer meals program is a crucial part of this mission. Through the efforts of the Michigan Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children will have access to nutritious food all summer, ensuring their health and well-being even when school is not in session,” said Kelly Blake, the Superintendent of Waverly Community Schools.

“Unfortunately, hunger does not take a vacation in the summer months, and we know that far too often children lose critical access to meals when schools are out. Whether its grocery benefits to purchase food, or meals served within community or on-the-go, families need options to help feed their children during the summer. Summer food programs help families where they are and with more innovation can work to ensure children have access to the nutritious food needed to return to school next year ready to learn,” Dr. Phil Knight, the Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said.

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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