ICYMI: 97,500 Montana children will miss out on nearly $40 million in federal food assistance unless Gianforte acts soon.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 2, 2022
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press@montanademocrats.org
ICYMI: 97,500 Montana children will miss out on nearly $40 million in federal food assistance unless Gianforte acts soon.
Activists across the state join in call to action
Helena, MT – Unless Governor Gianforte submits a funding request plan soon, 97,500 Montana children will miss out on an estimated $36.6 million in federal food assistance. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was established in 2020 to help prevent hunger among children who lost access to school meals during remote learning through the pandemic. The program was a critical lifeline for thousands of families and their children.
Governor Gianforte’s administration has made it clear they do not plan on submitting a request to receive the federal food assistance, leaving the money on the table and the most vulnerable Montana children without food on their plates. Community activists and concerned parents have rallied a campaign to call the Governor’s office to urge him to act.
As food prices continue to rise, fighting food insecurity across Montana has never been more pressing. The Missoula Food Bank Network has reported one of the busiest springs in recent history.
“We know how to solve this– federal food assistance is a simple and effective solution to reduce child hunger,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “What are Gianforte’s motivations for denying these children access to food? This feels like cruelty for cruelty’s sake.”
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