Is Governor Gianforte Really Letting Montana Kids Go Hungry?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
CONTACT
hadley@montanademocrats.org
If the Governor does not accept the $10 million in federal funds soon, 73,000 children could go hungry
Helena, MT – Time is running out. Governor Gianforte has not yet accepted Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) that could provide $10 million in food assistance to 73,000 Montana children, and subsequently to the local economy and the 750 stores in the state that accept P-EBT. If the Governor fails to accept the federal funds, the state will “miss its last opportunity to use full federal funding to build a summer benefit distribution system.”
“What is the Governor waiting for? He’s leaving $10 million in federal funding on the table and letting Montana kids go hungry,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Montana families deserve to know: why is the Governor letting our children go hungry?”
The Governor dragged his feet in 2022 in accepting P-EBT funding, but after large public outcry, his administration reversed course and submitted an application.
A diverse coalition of advocates are calling on the Governor to accept this year’s P-EBT funds, including the Montana Food Bank Network, and 40 other organizations, including food banks, other nonprofits, churches, the ACLU of Montana and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
The Governor must act soon – federal guidance requires all P-EBT benefits must be issued by Sept. 30, 2023.
Republicans in the legislature voted against Rep. Melissa Romano’s (D-Helena) bill to fund school lunches. They also voted against funding school lunches through the appropriations process.
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