Food Bank Scrambles After Abbott Nixes Summer EBT Aid for Millions of Texas Children

Governor Greg Abbott’s choice to turn down $60 million in federal funding for the summer EBT program — aimed at assisting 3.7 million low-income Texas children in accessing meals during summer break — is facing significant backlash from the Central Texas Food Bank.

The initiative aimed to offer families $120 for each child to purchase food throughout the summer months in 2027, a support that proponents argue would have alleviated hunger and lessened the pressure on food banks across the state.

The Central Texas Food Bank has indicated that, although it will not experience a direct loss of funding, it anticipates a rise in demand and will need to intensify its efforts to ensure children are nourished. Before the summer break, the nonprofit significantly expanded its services to support children in need, providing daily meals at community locations and delivering boxed meals to rural areas. The summer meal initiative spans more than 60 locations across 21 counties, focusing on rural regions where food insecurity is most pronounced, until August 8.

“The rate of food insecurity among children in Texas surpasses that of other regions across the nation,” stated Sari Vatske, CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Our services extend to more than 55 locations.” The effect of this funding on families is significant, and we cannot compensate for that. Families receiving summer EBT benefits decrease reliance on food banks.

The nonprofit remains committed to combating childhood hunger, highlighting the essential role of federal programs, such as summer EBT, in bridging the hunger gap, while cautioning that local charities cannot fulfill the demand on their own.