1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I respectfully urge you to reconsider Tennessee’s decision not to participate in the federally funded Summer EBT (SNAP) program. By opting out, our state is declining tens of millions of federal dollars designated to help Tennessee families feed their children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. For many families, school breakfast and lunch programs are a primary source of reliable nutrition. When school is out, grocery costs rise significantly. Summer EBT helps bridge that gap by providing modest, targeted food benefits that parents can use at local grocery stores. This support ensures children return to school healthy, focused, and ready to learn. This program is fully federally funded for benefits and brings substantial economic activity into local communities. Every federal dollar spent on food assistance circulates through Tennessee businesses — supporting grocers, farmers, distributors, and workers. Declining participation does not reduce federal spending; it simply sends those resources to other states while Tennessee families continue to struggle. Child hunger is not a partisan issue. It affects rural and urban communities alike, including working families who may not qualify for other forms of assistance but still face rising food costs. Summer nutrition support is a practical, time-limited measure focused specifically on children’s well-being. Accepting these funds would demonstrate fiscal responsibility by leveraging federal resources while prioritizing Tennessee children. It would ease pressure on local charities and churches that often shoulder increased demand during the summer months. I respectfully ask you to re-evaluate this decision and allow Tennessee to participate in the Summer EBT program. Ensuring children have enough to eat during the summer is an investment in their health, education, and future success — and in the strength of our state.