Nonprofit Groups Beg DeSantis Not To Reject Federal Funds To Feed Hungry Kids For Second Year In A Row

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

State officials said they passed up millions of dollars in new federal food assistance money because they have more than enough programs to feed Florida’s hungry children this summer. But advocates for the hungry say the numbers tell a different story.

“The perception put forward by the state is that there is no need for other programs in the state,” said Sky Beard, the Florida director for the non-profit No Kid Hungry organization. “I wish it were true!”

While it’s too late for Florida to change course in time to affect kids this summer, 185 groups that seek to end hunger recently sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders urging Florida to apply for the money by the Aug. 15 deadline for 2025. “Every summer is a hungry time for kids.” Beard said.

Read the full article. Multiple red states refused to accept the funding for the summer of 2024.

This is just cruel. Cruel Summer. 1 in 5 of our children go hungry in Florida. As the person who oversaw the summer feeding programs as Commissioner, there was never enough. Governor only protects our kids when it fits his narrative. https://t.co/DdSCVccUrY

— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 8, 2024