Augusta resident Tasha Marshall’s culinary options recently expanded when she received extra financial aid for groceries during a summer period. The boost allowed her to add meat to her family’s meals, a luxury previously out of reach.
During the 2019-2020 school year, low-income families in Georgia received pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, providing additional food assistance on days when schools were closed. This assistance extended into the summer months, offering an extra $40 per child per month for groceries during the break. However, Georgia is among 14 states that have ceased to provide this federal benefit, which has now become a permanent program.
For Marshall, the extra funds meant she no longer had to rely solely on budget-conscious meals like Hamburger Helper without meat or meatless pasta sauce and noodles. Her resourcefulness, such as stretching three pork chops into multiple meals, highlights the lengths many families go to make ends meet.
As a mother of two, Marshall, like many others, depends on assistance programs to supplement her income. While her family earns just above the threshold for an EBT card, they still rely on government aid programs for essentials like fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Expressing the importance of continued support, Marshall emphasized the disconnect between policymakers and families facing food insecurity. She stressed the need for officials to understand the daily struggles faced by those worrying about rent, bills, and putting food on the table.
To address these concerns, advocacy groups like ParentsTogether Action have launched petitions urging states, including Georgia, to enroll in the EBT program to ensure future access. Allison Johnson, the program director, emphasizes the economic and social impact of food insecurity on families and local communities.
As Georgia opted out of the enhanced SNAP benefits following the 2023 summer, families were left without the additional support. Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to apply for an extension resulted in the loss of vital assistance for 1.1 million children across the state.
While the federal program was initially expanded in 2020 as part of the American Rescue Act, bureaucratic challenges and administrative burdens hindered its implementation. State SNAP administrators found themselves overwhelmed, juggling multiple aid programs amid the ongoing pandemic.
Organizations like Caring For Others, which relies solely on donations to provide essential services, feel the impact of these cutbacks. Eslene Richmond-Shockley, CEO of Caring for Others, highlights the crisis in Georgia’s food deserts, where access to affordable groceries is limited. The loss of extra food assistance exacerbates the struggle for families already facing high grocery prices and utility bills.
As families continue to grapple with food insecurity, local initiatives like summer meal programs and food banks offer vital support. However, the decision to opt out of federal assistance programs underscores the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable communities in Georgia and beyond.
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