‘Hunger doesn’t take a break’: Summer food programs for families in need now available

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon families who receive free student meals during the school year have resources available to ensure food security throughout the summer.

According to Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, 94% of the state’s public schools currently offer free meals to all students. The nonprofit helped secure new state funding to expand the free school meal program. Despite this, the nonprofit said there are still tens of thousands of children who don’t have access to these programs.

Oregon Summer Meals – Find a Site Near You

As the school year comes to a close, families who already get free school lunches may be wondering how they’ll keep their children fed.

“Every student deserves to know where their next meal comes from,” said Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon Policy Advocate David Wieland. “Hunger doesn’t take a break during the summer.”

Fortunately, there are options for families.

The Oregon Department of Education has more information about its Summer Food Service Program, where families can locate hundreds of free meal sites across the state.

In addition, for the second summer in a row, the Oregon Department of Human Services is offering its Oregon Summer EBT program. The grocery benefit program helps families buy food for their school-aged children when school is out. The single yearly payment provides $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries.

According to the State of Oregon, over 340,000 eligible children already automatically received the Summer EBT back in May, though some families still need to apply. The state said they expect up to 370,000 school-aged children will be provided with the Summer EBT benefits this year.

The program costs the state about $2.5 million in administrative costs. In return, Oregon receives $40 million in federal funding that goes directly to students. Despite this, Wieland said the work to combat hunger is not over.

Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon are hoping state legislators pass a bill to extend free breakfast and lunch to all students in Oregon.

The Oregon House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 3435 back in March. It is now in the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

“If you want to call your legislator and urge them to make this a priority, we’d love that,” Wieland said.

People who are already signed up to receive SNAP, TANFF or OHP benefits should already see those summer grocery benefits on their account. If not, the State of Oregon has more information on how to apply.