USDA declares summer season vitamin help program

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QUINCY, Ill (WGEM) – The summer feeding program is funded in part from the American rescue plan that was passed earlier this year.

The Electronic Power Transfer Pandemic Transfer (P-EBT) was launched back in March to feed children due to the effects of the pandemic. Today’s announcement means these benefits will be available during the summer months.

Children entitled to this support are the same children who are entitled to free or discounted meals throughout the school year.

Children under six living in SNAP households are also eligible.

Jean Kinder, director of food services in Quincy public schools, says this type of program is important to the community.

Kinder says while QPS has a summer food program, many families may not have transportation to school to get meals.

“This announcement will just be another avenue for families, perhaps a little more flexible for them, to get their own food for their family,” she said.

Children said nearly 60% of their students would qualify for this feeding program.

She asked the families to check that the addresses on file with the school matched their own addresses. This is because the P-EBT grocery cards are sent to addresses.

More information from the USDA on this announcement can be found here.

A similar story from WGEM about the continuation of the free lunch can be found here.