The Montana Food Bank Network is once again asking the Gianforte administration to join the federal program that has helped feed children and families since the pandemic.
Federal guidelines mean less funding for Montana this year, but a letter from the network sent Gov. I urged them to secure funds for their children through the program (P). -EBT.
“If Montana does not participate in the P-EBT program this school year and summer, our state is ready to leave over $10 million in federal food assistance for our children,” April 10. The letter of the day said. “This is not only money that can feed our children, but it is federal dollars that will be injected into the economy of Montana.”
In 2022, after public outcry, the state health department changed course and submitted a plan to receive federal dollars. The state estimates it will help her 17,000 children from age 0 through age 6 who are eligible for SNAP or supplemental nutrition assistance programs.
State health officials initially argued the program was too burdensome to manage, but former DPHHS director Adam Meier said the U.S. Department of Agriculture had heard concerns and wanted the program to be flexible. said to have confirmed
As a result, the state managed more than $27 million in P-EBT, according to the Montana Food Bank Network.
Earlier this month, the network and 40 organizations, including food banks, other nonprofits, churches, the ACLU of Montana, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, signed a letter urging them to rejoin Montana.
The letter thanked Republicans Gianforte and Breton for implementing and participating in the P-EBT, but also said the state would miss out on the benefits if it did not submit the plan to the USDA soon. ing. He said the money was in dire need.
“P-EBT has been very important to Montana families over the past few years,” the letter said. “As the pandemic continues to impact the cost of living, especially food, P-EBT plays an important role in enabling families with children to purchase groceries.
“Inflation, housing prices, and issues with access to child care make it difficult for many Montana families to get enough food each month.”
In a brief email on Monday, Department of Health spokesperson John Ebert said officials had received the letter and were considering the request.
The letter says the plan has taken time to develop because federal guidance indicates that all P-EBT benefits must be issued by September 30, 2023. School year.
“The Department’s efforts to provide P-EBT benefits over the past few years have made a difference between hunger and nutrition for struggling families across Montana,” the letter said. “They still need your help to get the benefits they need this semester and summer.”
This year, the Montana Legislature rejected at least some proposals to help with food for school children and families. was supposed to pay for the schoolchildren’s lunch. It was submitted to the commission.
On the House floor last month, Democratic Rep. Jennifer Lynch proposed an amendment she said would divert $1 million in federal funds to food banks, but it didn’t pass.
Len Greaney of the Montana Food Bank Network said by phone that the organization had not heard back from the state’s letter.
States can run programs for students from kindergarten through age 12 or children ages 0 to 6, or both, and last year Montana had both schools open during the summer, according to Greaney. Aimed at groups, we conducted programs aimed at younger children during the school year.
“If they create a plan, it’s time to plan and act, because it takes time to plan and manage,” says Greaney.
Unlike some proposals in Congress, P-EBT does not require state funding of its own, according to the Montana Food Bank Network.
However, Greaney also said the program will end after the summer of 2023. Another similar federal program will replace it, but it will only be available during the summer and will not replace the school lunch program, according to the Montana Food Bank Network.
P-EBT Letter 2023
